Homeowners in Surrey may experience significant issues with carpenter ants, especially in the warmer season. While these wood-destroying insects might look harmless to the naked eye, they can silently break down the structure of your home from the inside out over time. You could be facing a Carpenter Ant Surrey infestation if you’ve noticed big black ants in your kitchen, near your baseboards, or even coming out from the walls.
Why Carpenter Ant Infestation is a Problem in Surrey?
These types of ants usually thrive in moist, decaying, or hollow wood areas. Surrey’s humid weather and frequent rain provide the perfect conditions for them to nest inside homes, garages, and outdoor structures. They make their way through wood in the form of tunnels and build their colonies, but they don’t eat wood. This behavior of ants causes significant damage over time.
Once the colony is established, it expands quickly and causes structural issues in wood framing, beams, floors, and window sills.
Top indications of Carpenter Ant Surrey Infestation
Recognizing the signs early can prevent a full-blown infestation. Below are common indicators that you may have these types of ants in or around your property.
Big Black Ants Inside the home
Having big ants in your home (approximately 6–12 mm long) is an obvious sign of a carpenter ant infestation. In appearance, they are black, although some can be reddish or brownish in color. If you constantly find them around water sources, baseboards, or windows, they might be building their nests in those areas.
Sawdust Debris
As these ants tunnel through wood, they leave behind a fine, sawdust-like substance called frass. You might find frass under wooden furniture, baseboards, or near walls. This is a strong sign of carpenter ant Surrey behind the scenes.
Noises within the Walls
If you notice light rustling or clicking noises in your walls or ceilings, particularly at night when ants are most restless, it is likely a sign that a colony is tunneling through your woodwork.
Winged Ants (Swarmers) Indoors
Reproductive carpenter ants with wings, also known as swarmers, typically come out during spring and early summer to form new colonies. If you see flying ants within your dwelling, particularly near windows or doors, it’s a clear indication of an indoor infestation.
Hollow-Sounding Wood
Tapping on wooden beams or floors and hearing a hollow sound could mean that the inside has been hollowed out by the ants. If your floors or walls feel weak or spongy, that’s a serious warning.
Where Carpenter Ants Hide in Homes?
In homes, these ants often enter through cracks in foundations, utility lines, or gaps around doors and windows. Once inside, they look for moist or rotting wood to establish nests.
- Common hiding spots include:
- Attics and crawlspaces
- Wall voids and insulation
- Window and door frames
- Behind dishwashers or sinks
- Outdoor decks and sheds
Carpenter Ant Damage: Things at Stake?
As compared to termites, the carpenter ants move slowly, but they may still have a major impact. With time, they can cause:
- Weakening of structural beams
- Sagging floors or ceilings
- Damage to windows, doors, and trim
- Devalue your property in the market
How to Remove Carpenter Ants Effectively
A strategic and comprehensive approach is required to deal with carpenter ants in Surrey. Some DIY methods may provide relief for a shorter period, but they usually fail to eradicate the entire colony, particularly if the nests are hidden throughout your home.
What you can do:
Locate and Eliminate the Nest
Finding the main nest is essential. It may require professional help, as colonies can be hidden deep inside walls or in outdoor structures. It is way easier to eliminate the entire colony if the main nest is located.
Sealing of Entry Points
Seal gaps around windows, doors, pipes, and foundations. Make sure mulch and firewood are stored away from the house, and remove any tree limbs that are touching your roof.
Control Moisture
Seal leaking pipes, enhance ventilation in crawl spaces, and resolve any moisture problems that draw ants.
Ant Control Expert Services
The best method of guaranteeing the colony has been destroyed is by calling the services of an experienced ant control Surrey professional who can assess, treat, and follow up on the infestation issue.
And sometimes delay can result in expensive renovations, particularly if the ants have settled in key locations such as load-bearing beams or foundation supports. Taking proactive action not only avoids further damage but also saves you stress and money in the long term.
Avoid Future Ant Infestations
Stopping carpenter ant infestations begins with the regular inspection of your home and performing routine maintenance. Plan pest inspections to find early activity, especially before and after periods of warmer season when the ants are more active. Keep an eye on moisture-prone areas like bathrooms, basements, and attics, and repair any water-damaged, rotten wood at once. Through constant proactive measures, you can protect your property.
Why Trust ASM Pest Exterminator in Surrey?
At ASM Pest Exterminator, we have expertise in getting rid of carpenter ants in Surrey through proven industry methods that are safe, effective, and long-lasting. Our staff is trained to detect concealed nests, evaluate damage, and implement personalized treatment solutions to reclaim your sense of security.
If you’re seeing carpenter ant signs, don’t wait until the damage is too great. Rely on a trusted Ant Exterminator to guard your home against these destructive ants.
