Termite and Wood Boring Insects - Carpenter Ants
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Habs11
06-26-06, 09:56 AM
Found a nest in one of my walls around a window 1,00s of them. Killed what I could see with 3 cans o fbee spray and have an exterminator coming in 2 days to gets the ones I missed (I'm suire there are more).
Anyone know of potential hazzard of having tons of dead ants inside the walls of your home? Suppose there are a few more nests in my home and the exterminator's work will kill them all over the next few days - any hazzards????
I know dead mice will smell, bat fecal matter is very dangerous, etc.... I have no idea if dead ants will pose any problems.
Anyone know of potential hazzard of having tons of dead ants inside the walls of your home? Suppose there are a few more nests in my home and the exterminator's work will kill them all over the next few days - any hazzards????
I know dead mice will smell, bat fecal matter is very dangerous, etc.... I have no idea if dead ants will pose any problems.
twelvepole
06-26-06, 04:18 PM
Dead ants should not pose any health hazards. Carpenter ants are usually attracted to moist wood. You will want to resolve any leaks or moisture issues. Check around sinks, bathtubs, poorly sealed windows/ door frames, roof leaks and poorly flashed chimneys. You will also want to know the extent of damage to the wood in your structure. Carpenter ants tunnel inside wood and hollow it out. A screwdriver can be used to probe wood to determine extent of damage. Tapping on wood with handle can tell you if wood is hollow.
Carpenter ants establish a parent colony and can set up several satellite colonies. The extent of damage depends on how many nests you have and how long you have had the infestation. Parent nest may be outdoors in rotting stump or other decaying wood.
Walls can be drilled and boric acid puffed in. Treat areas where pipes and wires enter the home. These areas should be sealed. Inspect around structure at night with flashlight. Ants are most active at night. Try to locate nests. A regular perimeter insecticide treatment around foundation of home tends to keep most insect pests at bay. Treatment for carpenter ants without locating nests will likely pose a continued carpenter ant problem.
You will want to know the approach the exterminator will be taking. The type of guarantee and the reputation of the company should also be a consideration. Carpenter ants are usually not eliminated with the first treatment.
Carpenter ants establish a parent colony and can set up several satellite colonies. The extent of damage depends on how many nests you have and how long you have had the infestation. Parent nest may be outdoors in rotting stump or other decaying wood.
Walls can be drilled and boric acid puffed in. Treat areas where pipes and wires enter the home. These areas should be sealed. Inspect around structure at night with flashlight. Ants are most active at night. Try to locate nests. A regular perimeter insecticide treatment around foundation of home tends to keep most insect pests at bay. Treatment for carpenter ants without locating nests will likely pose a continued carpenter ant problem.
You will want to know the approach the exterminator will be taking. The type of guarantee and the reputation of the company should also be a consideration. Carpenter ants are usually not eliminated with the first treatment.