When Ant Activity Can Point to a Moisture or Wood Problem

Signs Worth Investigating Instead of Ignoring

As seasons change in Charles City, residents can notice an increase in pest activity around the home. One notable pest are ants, which can find entry points through gaps around external pipes, utilize tree limbs as highways, and exploit gaps around doorways. Once indoors, ants will seek sources of food and moisture to support the growth of their colonies. This can lead to signs of ant activity in kitchen cabinets, near refrigerators, and underneath bathroom cabinets where leaky sinks can create pools of water.

Beyond the nuisance, there are ants that can lead to structural damage within homes. Carpenter ants will seek damaged wood in order to excavate tunnels and nests for their colonies. Frass, sawdust, and weakened floorboards can be signs of carpenter ant activity. During spring seasons in Charles City, residents might notice the presence of flying carpenter ants within the home which are seeking the right resources for their colonies. Unlike termites, carpenter ants do not eat the wood, they simply remove it to create tunnels and nests. Due to the similarities between carpenter ants and termites, it’s important for residents to seek professional help to properly identify the pest and determine the right course of action.

How to Check the Conditions Around the Structure

There are steps Charles City residents can take to help reduce ant activity around indoor and outdoor living spaces. 

For outdoors, use EPA-registered products to reduce the presence of honeydew producing pests. Ants will farm pests, such as aphids, which produce this sugary substance. This allows them to protect an important resource while also increasing the potential for additional pest activity. Trim landscaping and tree limbs away from the structure of your home to reduce ant highways that can lead into your indoor living areas. Ensure leaky irrigation systems, pipes, and gutters or downspouts are promptly fixed when damaged. These conditions can lead to an increase in damp soil or mulch beds where ants and other pests can nest and breed. 

For indoor areas, ensure that damaged and decaying wood is replaced to limit resources for carpenter ants. These pests will excavate damaged wood in order to create tunnels and nests for their colonies. This can also be supported through removing mulch, leaf litter, and decaying vegetation from the foundational areas of your home. As these materials collect moisture and decay, they increase the humidity around the area and can lead to unexpected foundational damage and increase pest activity.

When Ant Activity Calls for Professional Identification

While most outdoor ant activity can be left unattended, there are moments where Charles City residents can benefit from professional ant control services. If you’re noticing signs of ant trails within your home, damage from wood-scavenging ants, or increased signs of ant activity around certain natural events, it may be time to seek additional support.

Our team at Mosquito Squad of Williamsburg is proud to offer comprehensive ant control services to Charles City residents. Our team will begin with a property inspection to learn more about the layout, areas of ant activity, and take note of areas of concern. With this information, we will create a tailored plan that is designed for your specific home and needs. Our Yard Defender package uses a combination of liquid and granular treatments to target areas where ant activity is common, and can include ant-mound drenching techniques as needed. Our Home Shield package uses a combination of exclusion methods and barrier treatments to seal and target doorways, attic spaces, and common points of entry.

For Reliable Ant, Pest Control in Charles City, VA Near You

Need help reducing ant activity around your Charles City property? Call Mosquito Squad of Williamsburg at (757) 280-3624 or request a free quote online.