As a property manager you’re always on the lookout for potential problems . So when you noticed small piles of wood shavings near a structural wall on your property you knew you had to act fast. We are Ottawa’s best pest control and we offer commercial pest control services to help property managers and owners in your situation. Our technicians are trained specifically to deal with carpenter ant and termite infestations.
How do I determine the difference between carpenter ants and termites?
Upon first inspection carpenter ants and termites look similar, but if you take a closer look you’ll see that carpenter ants have a small, well defined waist, while termites are more rectangular with no waist. Carpenter ants dig into moist wood, hollow it out, and push piles of sawdust like material called “frass”, out and into plain view. Termites actually eat the wood and leave trails of mud in and around the damage. Carpenter ants leave behind smooth hollowed out galleries in the wood, while termite damage appears to be ragged, rough, and filled with mud and soil. If you’re noticing piles of sawdust near wood on your property you’re liking dealing with a carpenter ant infestation.
What damage can carpenter ants do?
If left alone, a carpenter ant infestation can cause a great deal of damage, especially if they set their sights on a structural wall. The hollowed out galleries in a carpenter ant damaged wall can weaken the integrity of the surrounding structure. This is why it is important to treat the problem as soon as you detect it.
The nests need to be identified and removed.
Because carpenter ants usually have several nests, locating and eliminating them poses a challenge that may best be handled by commercial pest control services. This is because the parent colony is often outside in an old stump or rotted out tree. While the satellite colonies may be inside walls and not visible to the naked eye. The only way to truly determine where the nesting sites are located is to place bait and observe the ants as they travel back to the nest.
Avoiding carpenter ant infestations in the first place.
Property managers know that preventative maintenance is the key to avoiding trouble with pests and the damage they inflict. When you notice leaks in plumbing, cracks in walls, damage to trim around walls and windows it is important to fix it immediately. Outdoor debris should be cleared and any rotting wood should be removed. If you take away the conditions that attract carpenter ants you shouldn’t have a problem.
We are Ottawa’s best pest control and we offer commercial pest control services.for property managers like you. We can inspect the property and give you a reasonable estimate right away. Our operators are standing by, waiting for your call. Our technicians are licensed, bonded, and insured so you can be confident granting them access to the premises. Call us today and we’ll help you stamp out your carpenter ant problem. Carpenter Ants In The Walls Ottawa, ON call (613) 209-1880.
