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Ants: Signs Of An Ant Infestation

There are 3 signs that will tell you if you have an ant infestation within your home.  Ants are most active during sundown so pay particular attention for signs of ant activity during these hours.

Ant sightings in the home

The presence of large (1/2 inch), wingless, dark-coloured ants inside the home is usually the first sign of an ant infestation.  These worker ants, which usually emerge at night, will feed on meats and foods containing sugar and fat.  A great trick to find the nest is to set out small pieces of tuna packed in water (carpenter ants are not attracted to tuna packed in oil) for the ants to take back to their nests.  Ideal time to track ants is between sunset and midnight.  Large winged ants gathering around windows and doors is another common sign of an indoor ant infestation.

Frass

Frass is debris or excrement produced by insects.  Frass will present itself as small piles of sawdust or wood shavings.  Carpenter ants do not eat wood, rather, they remove wood as they create galleries and tunnels.  Carpenter ants are constantly cleaning these galleries and tunnels of sawdust and other debris which produces the piles of frass which home owners often see.

Hear ants

An active colony may make a dry, rustling sound that becomes louder if the ant colony is disturbed.  This sound, thought to be a form of communication, is made with the mandibles (jaws) and is not related to wood chewing.  When trying to detect carpenter ants, tap the suspected area and then press an ear to the surface in order to hear any sound.

Once you have identified that you have ants, it’s time to do something about it.  Give us a call and let us give you your ant free home back.