Though you may tend to think of ants as just a pest you might encounter on a picnic or a day at the park, the truth is that ants can still be harmful to you and your home—especially carpenter ants. The two main problems that carpenter ants cause are property damage and bites.
Do Carpenter Ants Bite Humans?
Yes, carpenter ants bite humans. Carpenter ants also bite dogs and other pets. Though they are small, seemingly just pesky critters, carpenter ants can bite humans, pets, and other insects out of self defense. Bigger than a typical ant, carpenter ant bites can even break skin and cause pain with their bites. In addition, these ants have the ability to spray a defensive chemical called formic acid into the bite wounds, further increasing the pain.
What do carpenter ants look like?
In order to avoid a situation where you or your dog could be bitten by a carpenter ant, it is important to know both what they look like and how to recognize signs of an infestation.
A typical carpenter ant is dark in color—red, black, or brown—and is around 13 millimeters in length. This makes carpenter ants one of the largest ant species in the world. Different from other ant species, carpenter ants have a rounded thorax and heart shaped head.
To locate an infestation of carpenter ants, follow the trail of worker ants who will eventually lead you back to their nest.
This is where the professionals come in. Upon locating what you believe to be a carpenter ant, contact Las Vegas Pest to monitor the situation and eliminate the ant colonies on your property.
How To Avoid a Carpenter Ant Infestation
Before an ant problem becomes an infestation, there are a few things you can do to keep insects out of your home.
First, make sure you keep food in airtight containers and clean up crumbs around your kitchen and in your pantry. Ants are attracted to food sources, so any open containers or loose pieces of food lying around are beacons for them to come and feast.
Additionally, seal any openings in window screens, door frames, or cracks in your home. Leave no spaces open for ants to come in or build colonies inside your home.
Finally, keep your home free of moisture like damp surfaces and leaks. Ants also need moisture to live, so available sources of water inside your home will attract this unwanted species.
Find Ant Control With Las Vegas Pest Control Today
If you feel overwhelmed by the sight of an ant or many ants in or near your home, contact Las Vegas Pest Control for a free ant extermination quote. Our experts are trained to promptly control any ant situation, especially an annoying carpenter ant situation. Rely on the pest experts at Las Vegas Pest Control today.
