Carpenter Ants: What You Can't See Can Hurt You

You've probably heard the saying, "What you can't see won't hurt you." But, when it comes to carpenter ants, this saying is completely wrong. The most obvious way it is wrong is that what you can't see CAN hurt you. Carpenter ants eat away at the wood of your home and when you finally see how much damage they've done, it is going to hurt quite a bit, especially in your wallet area. But, this saying is wrong in another, unexpected, way. 

What you can't see won't hurt you?

You can see carpenter ants. In fact, you are probably seeing these pests all the time. If these insects have invaded your home, you're probably killing a few every week. The problem isn't that you can't see them, it is more that you may not know that you're looking at a carpenter ant or that you may not understand how big the threat is.

When you see an ant running across your counter, you may be thinking that you're looking at another kind of ant, like maybe a pharaoh ant, a pavement ant, or an odorous house ant. And, since these other kinds of ants don't damage homes, you don't give it another thought. But, you should. It is important to recognize a carpenter ant when you see one. Carpenter ants are responsible for millions of dollars in property damage every year in the United States.

Carpenter ants are black and sometimes reddish in color. They range in length from ⅜ of an inch to ½ an inch. These are the largest ants you're going to have inside your home. But, if you need more than this to identify them, carpenter ants also have a single node between their thorax and abdomen to help you tell them apart from other ants.

How do I protect my northern Virginia home from carpenter ants?

These and other dangerous pests can attack your home throughout the year; which is why it is vital to have year-round protection. Fortunately, you don't have to pay to have your home protected from each individual pest that is attacking it. Here at American Pest, we group our services to reduce the costs. When you protect your home from carpenter ants you can also keep other invasive pests out like termites, cockroaches, and rodents.

Can you live with bugs and wildlife? Sure. But pests can destroy your home, spread the illness to you and your family, plague your pets, and bring unwanted parasites into your house. Life has enough challenges without having to deal with all the many hardships bugs and invasive animals can cause. Get a quality of life upgrade today with year-round pest control from the experts here at American Pest.