The most destructive pests in Maine are not the infamous termite that you can find in other states. Here in Maine, the carpenter ant can cause just as much damage to a home and property and they are a huge problem in the South Portland area. These pests will need to be dealt with before they can cause a lot of damage and to avoid repair costs associated with those damages.
Carpenter ants are a large ant that can be up to a 1/2 inch in length, they can be black, red or both. They like to nest in all types of moist and or rotted wood and can live in huge colonies. These ants are not dangerous to humans as they do not spread diseases. They can bite, but they do not usually bite and they are not venomous. The danger of the carpenter ants is the damage to wood items and the structure of your home.
If you are experiencing an infestation of carpenter ants, you are likely to see small holes where the ant has burrowed its way through the wood. They do not eat the wood like termites, rather they chew their way through it leaving sawdust behind. They probably have made their way into your home while looking for food. Once in your home and finding a good food source, and protection from the elements, they begin to nest their colony in the wood found there. They can ruin furniture, walls, floors and ceilings as well as the structure of your home that can cost a homeowner a lot of money in repairs.
Anyone that is interested in DIY projects can try to avoid a carpenter ant infestation by sealing up all entry points to the home, repairing damaged screens, vents, windows and door frames. You should clean up spills and messes immediately and keep all food in tightly sealed containers. It can be quite a chore to avoid them, more importantly, once they have colonized in or around your home it will be impossible to get rid of them on your own. It will be necessary to contact a professional pest control service. Big Blue Bug Solutions in the South Portland area can help you eliminate all carpenter ants and help you keep them away saving you in repair costs. Give us a call today for a quote on controlling a carpenter ant infestation.