Ant Control In Pasadena & All Of Central Maryland

Our Ant Control Process

At Accutech Pest Management, our ant control treatments are included in our general pest control program, but we also offer this as a stand-alone service. We take an Integrated Pest Management approach to ant control in order to address not only the active infestation but also the conducive conditions that may have caused it.

Our tried and true ant control process can eliminate ants from your Pasadena home and prevent them from returning. Here is what you can expect when you partner with Accutech Pest Management for ant control:

• A thorough inspection: Your technician will perform a comprehensive inspection of the interior and exterior of the structure. This helps us identify the species of ant and the size of the infestation, as well as factors that may be attracting ants or allowing them to gain entry to your home or business.
• Effective treatment: We use Integrated Pest Management methodology to craft customized solutions for each property. We may use liquid, bait, and/or dust products to target the ant infestation, depending on a variety of factors. Your technician will also provide food source reduction recommendations and even mechanical/environmental recommendations that you can employ for quicker results.
• Regular follow-up: For the best long-term protection, we recommend quarterly pest control treatments for your home or business. We will return once each season to keep your home protected against ants and a wide range of other pests.

Our three-step process can keep your property protected from ants year-round. In addition to recurring ant control treatments, there are also some preventative steps you can take to avoid ant infestations. Keeping door sweeps and weather stripping in good repair, moving water and moisture away from the foundation, and keeping garbage and recycling away from the structure can reduce the likelihood of ants getting inside. However, judicious and targeted treatments coupled with preventative follow-ups are the only way to control these insects long-term.

What Are Carpenter Ants?

Carpenter ants are a type of ant known for their ability to excavate wood to build their nests. Unlike termites, they do not consume wood; instead, they remove wood to create smooth, sandpaper-like galleries where they reside. These ants are typically larger than other ant species, with worker ants ranging from 6 to 12 mm in length. The most common species in North America is Camponotus pennsylvanicus, commonly known as the black carpenter ant.

Carpenter ants are often black but can also have reddish or yellowish hues. They are primarily nocturnal and feed on a variety of plant and animal materials, including sugars, proteins, and other insects. Carpenter ants can become a significant pest problem when they invade homes and buildings, as their nesting activity can weaken structural wood over time.

Detection of carpenter ant infestations often involves observing sawdust-like wood shavings called "frass" near their nesting sites, along with the presence of foraging ants. Control measures typically involve locating and eliminating the nest, using insecticides, and addressing any moisture issues that may have attracted the ants to the structure in the first place.

The Risk Carpenter Ants Pose to Your Home

Carpenter ants can wreak havoc on your home through their wood-excavating behaviors, leading to significant structural damage and costly repairs. Here's how they can cause such problems:

• Wood Excavation: Carpenter ants carve out extensive networks of galleries and tunnels within wooden structures to create their nests. Unlike termites, they don't consume wood but chew through it, leaving behind weakened beams, joists, and other crucial parts of your home's framework. Over time, this can compromise the structural integrity of the building.
• Targeting Moist Wood: These ants prefer damp or decaying wood, which is often already compromised by moisture issues. Their presence usually indicates underlying problems such as leaks, poor ventilation, or water damage. If these moisture problems are not addressed, they can lead to further wood decay and more extensive ant infestations.
• Hidden Nests: Carpenter ants often nest in hard-to-reach places like wall voids, under floors, in attics, or within insulation. Their nests can go unnoticed for long periods, allowing them to cause substantial damage before being detected. This hidden nature makes it challenging to locate and eradicate them without professional help.
• Satellite Colonies: Carpenter ants establish satellite nests in addition to their main colony. These satellite nests can spread throughout a home, increasing the extent of the infestation and the damage they cause. This proliferation makes controlling and eliminating the infestation more difficult and complex.
• Frass and Debris: As carpenter ants excavate wood, they produce frass, a sawdust-like material composed of wood fragments, ant body parts, and debris. The accumulation of frass can indicate an infestation and create additional messes around your home, especially near nesting sites.
• Structural Weakening: The combined effect of tunneling and moisture issues can lead to significant weakening of wooden structures. This can result in sagging floors, warped walls, and compromised support beams, all of which can affect the safety and stability of your home.
• Increased Repair Costs: The longer an infestation goes untreated, the more severe the damage becomes, leading to higher repair costs. Addressing carpenter ant damage often requires not only pest control measures but also significant structural repairs, which can be expensive and time-consuming.

Call Accutech Pest Management today for a free estimate or to learn more about our ant control services in Pasadena.