Outdoor Pest Control - Carpenter ants
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pasths
05-08-08, 03:35 PM
Well last couple weeks I've been replacing clapboard and knew we had some kind of wood boring insects. The last couple days it appears it is definately carpenter ants. I am seeing alot of activity in the daylight and plan on seeing how bad it is at sundown tonight.
Does home depot or Lowes have any granular pesticides worth using to kill the nest? I keep seeing Advance Carpenter Ant Bait and Termidor as the favorites, but looks like I need to buy those online?
Thanks!
Does home depot or Lowes have any granular pesticides worth using to kill the nest? I keep seeing Advance Carpenter Ant Bait and Termidor as the favorites, but looks like I need to buy those online?
Thanks!
twelvepole
05-08-08, 03:49 PM
Local big boxes and hardware stores should have carpenter ant bait. Read and follow directions. A powdered bait can be puffed into wall voids.
Carpenter ants set up colonies. While out with your flashlight, you may follow some back to the ranch. It may be in a decaying stump, under a wood pile, or other discrete location. There may be four or five or more colonies. Treat soil in area with the bait.
Carpenter ants are often attracted to structures because of moisture issues. I am assuming that you are addressing these as you make the siding repairs. How's the flashing around the windows and doors? Do you need to caulk? How's the gutter and drip edge? Downspout clear? Water isn't flowing over back side of gutter or down behind gutter into soffit/fascia area and behind siding?
It's also helpful to regularly treat the foundation and the soil perimeter with residual insecticide to keep insects pests and their predators at bay. If using bait, do not use the insecticide at the same time.
Carpenter ants set up colonies. While out with your flashlight, you may follow some back to the ranch. It may be in a decaying stump, under a wood pile, or other discrete location. There may be four or five or more colonies. Treat soil in area with the bait.
Carpenter ants are often attracted to structures because of moisture issues. I am assuming that you are addressing these as you make the siding repairs. How's the flashing around the windows and doors? Do you need to caulk? How's the gutter and drip edge? Downspout clear? Water isn't flowing over back side of gutter or down behind gutter into soffit/fascia area and behind siding?
It's also helpful to regularly treat the foundation and the soil perimeter with residual insecticide to keep insects pests and their predators at bay. If using bait, do not use the insecticide at the same time.
pasths
05-08-08, 07:06 PM
Found the nest in the corner trim of my garage. Found their entry point and blocked it and watched them all go around in circles confused then I unblocked it and they all went in. I just ordered a carpenter ant kit consisting of advance granulars and maxforce gel. I'll give an update on the results.
Twelvepole we do have a lot of moisture concerns we have a very wooded / shaded lot and we are working on reducing the moisture by removing bushes/small trees and years of leaf buildup. The surprises you get buying a house in the winter... Our big project for either this weekend or next is powerwashing the house and prepping it for new paint.
Thanks!
Twelvepole we do have a lot of moisture concerns we have a very wooded / shaded lot and we are working on reducing the moisture by removing bushes/small trees and years of leaf buildup. The surprises you get buying a house in the winter... Our big project for either this weekend or next is powerwashing the house and prepping it for new paint.
Thanks!
pasths
05-22-08, 10:42 AM
Update:
The maxforce gel the ants were all over and that particular nest showed no activity after 2 days. I did find the location of another nest, but used up all the gel on the first one, so I have more on order now.
The advance granular stuff I noticed a few ants grabbing, but nothing compared to the gel. But, I also read depending on the time of the season changes what they prefer.
The maxforce gel the ants were all over and that particular nest showed no activity after 2 days. I did find the location of another nest, but used up all the gel on the first one, so I have more on order now.
The advance granular stuff I noticed a few ants grabbing, but nothing compared to the gel. But, I also read depending on the time of the season changes what they prefer.