Showing posts with label ants exterminators. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ants exterminators. Show all posts

Saturday, September 9, 2017

Commercial exterminators | Commercial Extermination | Commercial pest control service

Commercial Pest Control Services


At AMPM Seattle Exterminators, we offer pest control services for commercial enterprises such as food processing and multi-unit buildings.
We understand that when your business is at stake, our reputation is at stake too. Supporting our clients in building a good reputation for their businesses and increase their revenue is at the heart of what we do.  

We use well tested and proven treatments that are both effective and efficient in preventing and controlling pest infestations in business premises. The treatments are lethal to pests and leave little to no footprint on your property. We offer immediate pest treatment and long-term pest prevention solutions to ensure that your business premises are protected against any form of pests year after year.  

AMPM’s Integrated Commercial extermination


We approach pest control from an integrated perspective. Our Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach to pest control goes beyond providing temporary solutions to your pest problem. Rather, we utilize various best pest management practices to find optimum solutions for each customer.

Renton pest control processes leave no or minimal footprints on your premises. Our IPM program uses comprehensive information on the life cycles of specific pests and their interaction with the environment.
This information is combined with the best available pest control methods to manage pest damage through the most economical means and with the least possible impact to people, property and the environment.

We understand that effective Tukwila pest control service in business premises has to be all-rounded. Our pest control includes working towards:
Preventing pests from gaining entry into Businesses Premises
Getting rid of those pests that are already inside the Business Premises
Applying residual material in areas insects are likely to harbor

Eastside Extermination Exterminators programs are customized to address the needs of particular commercial premises. We use cutting-edge pest control technologies to design programs that ensure that our client’s facilities remain pest-free in a sustainable way.

Our clients can request out team of exterminators to conduct quarterly reviews and annuals assessments on their premises. These assessments and reviews involve inspecting and identifying pest infestation signs and conducting pest elimination through trapping, use of pesticides or exclusion. The reviews may also include monitoring progress after pest treatment and regulating insect growth.

AMPM Pest Control Service Categories


AMPM Exterminators offers various pest control services for its clients depending on their need. Here are some of the service categories that our clients can expect from our team:

Continuous Pest Control Management

Business premises are often at risk of pest infestation throughout the year. Some of the common pests that require regular control include roaches, flies, bed bugs, ants, spiders, rodents and birds. AMPM Exterminators provide our commercial clients with ongoing pest control programs against a broad range of recurring pest problems.

Ants exterminators

Find small black ant colonies nesting under rotting logs and rocks, inside decaying trees, in cracked cement, on your lawn, or in your garden. They are ever the opportunists, setting up a colony close to food and water sources.

Sugar ants are considered harmless. Swarms of sugar ants can be a nuisance, and especially when they locate a reliable source of food inside your home. While they will not cause any structural damage to your house, sugar ants will gnaw through paper, thin plastic or even cardboard to get through to their contents.
Little black ants are common in yards, they nest under rocks, in rotting logs, and under piles of bricks or lumber. Indoors, nests are located in woodwork, wall voids, decaying wood, masonry, and underneath debris. Homeowners should consider working with a licensed pest professional to employ a preventative pest management plan. There are also a few things that can be done around the property to prevent a little black ant infestation.

Rodent Control Solutions

For business premises with rodent infestations, out team of pest control experts conduct a thorough inspection to determine the kind of rodents present and their species. Based on the outcome of the inspection, our team develops and implements and effective program that rids your premises of the rodents. We either use trapping, exclusion or baiting to control infestation and in some instances, all the three methods are applied. We also offer removal and replacement of rodent-damaged insulation in attics and walls.

Annual Business Premises Extermination Inspection 


At AMPM Exterminators, we believe that conducting thorough inspection of business premises can help cub the pest problem before it gets out of hand. We offer annual inspection programs that are designed to identify tell-tale signs of pest infestation. We specifically offer inspection services for infestation of flies and we have a monthly program for this as well.

Stinging Insect Solutions

Stinging insects such as African bees and wasps pose a danger to staff working in business premises. Their stings are painful and potentially harmful. AMPM Exterminators has what it takes to eliminate any kind of threat posed by stinging insects by offering treatments that prevent future problems. We use proven exclusion techniques to rid your premises of these harmful pests.

Bat and Bird Control

Bats, pigeons and swallows are some of the common pests that infest commercial premises. These pests carry germs and can deter business processes in your premises. AMPM Exterminators are well-versed in controlling birds using non-lethal approaches are safe for both the birds and people working within a business premises.  

Types of Commercial Premises

AMPM Exterminators offers pest control services for any type of business premises. Here are some of the common business premises that AMPM Exterminators serves:

Restaurants

These face the regular problem of pest infestation that include mice, roaches and flies in the dinning, kitchen, storage, food preparation, trash, bar and tight wet wash down areas.

Food Processing Plants

These commercial premises experience pest infestations in dry production, storage, wet wash down, trash, storage, employee dinning and warehouse areas. Food processing plants often have problems with pests such as roaches, mice and flies.
    

Grocery Stores or Supermarkets

These commercial premises experience problems with pests like flies and mice.  Exterminators always have to inspect warehouses and areas where meat, fish and deli produce is kept.

Hospitals and Other Healthcare Related Facilities

AMPM Exterminators offers pest control services to hospitals, laboratories and pharmaceutical premises in storage, public and non-public areas.

Multi-Unit, Offices and Other Buildings

These comprise a wide variety of facilities including apartments, churches, shopping and community centers that experience rodent, bird, bat and insect infestations. Areas targeted for pest control include dinning, food courts, common spaces and public areas.

Motels and Hotels

These commercial areas experience infestation of all kinds of pests due to high human traffic from all parts of the world. The most common pest infestation resulting from many people living in hotels include bed bugs, mice, roaches, and fleas. Areas targeted for pest control include hotel rooms including beddings, dinning, kitchen and common areas.

Little black ants extermination


We have the experience, trained pest exterminator technicians and equipment to handle any commercial pest control project.


Quarterly review and annual assessments by Ampm exterminators technicians

•Inspection and Identification
•Monitoring
•Exclusion
•Sanitation
•Insect Growth Regulators
•Trapping
•Pesticides

Commercial Extermination solutions for every pest that dares to invade Commercial  business buildings. Exterminators custom fit every commercial pest management solution to your specific business needs in order to keep your facility pest-free.
industry, business and individual environment is unique. Pest control is a crucial aspect of managing any warehouse facility. Pests are particularly attracted to quiet, secluded structures, which means they’re frequently drawn to warehouses. Once inside, pest problems can make a mess, hurt your reputation, and even ruin entire inventories, substantially affecting your bottom line. The best way to prevent pests from hurting your warehouse is by having a plan in place for them at all times. Commercial Pest control industry specific protocols to services. Ants are a very common infestation in residential properties, where they can find ample food and moisture. Ants can ruin stored food products, damage paper and plastic, or even present sanitation problems. Assured can develop a plan to permanently prevent any and all species of ant from accessing your property.
commercial pest control companies have more experience working with custom environments, they also have more experience with offering long term preventative measures. Sometimes a businesses’ building is more susceptible to pests because of its location or other residents.
developed pest management services to fit any type of commercial property, from single-story buildings to high rises to warehouses. These programs not only remove current problem pests, but also help ensure that they won’t come back. Some specific services we perform for commercial properties 
pest control company that provides services for hospitals, pharmaceutical manufacturing companies, or other healthcare facilities must understand and follow specific industry standards. They have to know how to make their pest control strategy compliant protocols, and other federal, state and local regulations. They also need to ensure their pest control strategy is non-disruptive to patients, sustainable and environmentally-friendly, and highly effective Left unchecked, birds nesting on or around your apartment complex can inflict substantial property damage. Schools and other educational facilities can’t afford to suffer pest infestations for any length of time. Not only are pests disruptive, but they’re also a serious sanitation and health risk for your students and employees. To prevent pest infestations in your educational facility, you’ll need a customized, sustainable management plan, and an expert partner to implement that plan. Assured can humanely remove nests and implement effective deterrent strategies to keep birds from returning to your property. The garbage chutes in apartments often become breeding grounds for flies and other pests. Assured offers residential property clients a comprehensive chute cleaning and maintenance program. During our restaurant pest control service, we work with you to develop a customized commercial pest control program that accommodates all of your unique needs and meets local, state, national and international standards of health and safety. businesses can be impacted by pests in quite so many negative ways as retail shopping spaces. Not only do you have to worry about your inventory itself, you also have to worry about the health of your employees and customers… not to mention your reputation! The best way for retail outlets to deal with a pest infestation. No matter what kind of pest problem your hotel has, we can arrive as soon as you need us, customize a plan to wipe out your infestation completely, and help make sure you don't have to worry about it again.

Seattle exterminators companies approach carpenter ant problems differently. Locate the nest and selectively treat only in specific areas. Drilling and dusting as many potential wall voids and nesting sites as possible is an old ineffective method. Most companies also apply a perimeter spray treatment around the outside foundation of the home in an effort to temporarily prevent access to the building. If no effort is made to locate the nests or probable nest areas, the problem will most likely continue.
Ant pest control specialists create complete custom tailored plans for each extermination that is uniquely designed for the type of ant and the pests’ location. An everyday homeowner or business owner simply doesn’t have the knowledge and experience needed to create a similar plan with the one-size-fits-all DIY pest control products on the market today.

Pest control professionals don’t just determine what types of ants are present in the building and where they are located; they also figure out how they are getting in.Ant exterminators can help business owners and homeowners better secure their properties to keep ants out in the future.

Even though commercial ant pest control services cost more than DIY products, many homeowners and business owners end up having to try multiple products before they’re able to successfully deal with ants. In the end, the combined cost of all of these products often comes close to the cost of hiring a professional.

Ant exterminators will recommend maintenance services to keep ants away when they are needed, making it possible to keep homes and businesses free of the pests.For people in need of an ant exterminator in the Seattle, Redmond, Kent or Renton areas, AM/PM Exterminators is an ant pest control service that you can trust to use the most cost effective, beneficial method to fully eradicate the infestation.

One-time treatments for customers not looking for extended control. A year-long program is the best way to go.  Lets say we come out to treat your house on June 1st for ants and after two weeks or so you’re still having ants. Treatment includes treating the interior and exterior of  homes and commercial business buildings. The exterior treatment generally includes spraying around the foundation of the property, around entry points, around doors and windows, and where ant trails are present. Inside the home we use various types of baits and if  sprayed  to treat cracks and crevices or do small spot treatments. No “bug bombs” that are going to get pesticide everywhere, putting  focus on where ants are active. Other pest control companies will price advice on doing what’s called a “drill-and-treat” drilling holes every 18″ along  house or building and inject the walls with chemical. With advances in new products, it is extremely rare to do something this drastic to eradicate ants. 


Throughout the years the products used in ant control have changed tremendously. Products now are much safer and the mode of action is different. A combination of sprays, baits, and dusts. The sprays are non-repellent products which allows ants to walk across the product without knowing it’s there. That way more ants become infected with the product and will transfer it from one ant to another. Baits is used to draw the ants out of hiding, coming in contact with the product. The ants will eat the bait and then through a process called trophallaxis, the ants regurgitate the bait and share it with the nest.


It’s not a quick process to get rid of ants. Customers should give the treatments about 2 to 3 weeks to work properly. During this time it is very common to see an increase of ants or see ants show up in other places.  It has been said that 90% of an ant colony is in the nest and only 10% are out foraging . The ant bait kill the 15% foraging, but the 85% in hiding. 


For ant treatments, generally there is no need to leave the home during and after our treatment; however, chemical sensitive individuals or pets in the home, then its time to  leave. Using a wide array of products to get rid of ants, considered organic and green, while others are synthetic products. The synthetic products  generally a pyrethroid class of chemical, which the EPA has said “…exposures from the many current uses of pyrethrin and pyrethroid insecticides do not pose risk concerns for children or adults”. Obviously common sense needs to be enforced, so no licking or touching our products…especially while wet! Most products dry within an hour on the interior and 30 minutes on the exterior.
When it comes to ants, unfortunately, “green” products are not recommended. Green and/or organic products work great as a contact killer, but offer very little, if any, residual effect. Also because ants are social insects, products work in such a way that ants take the products back to their nest which will essentially wipe out hundreds or thousands of ants. Green products do no work in this manner, so their success rate is considerably less. Green or organic products, are available , but please know it will take many more treatments and can’t guarantee it’s success. That being said, even though the products are not necessarily green or organic, many would consider a procedures green.

 Moisture ants, if the location of the nest is known, are also very easy to get rid, if the location of their nest is known. Carpenter ants in the summer months are generally easier to eliminate, but can be very difficult to eradicate in the winter. Odorous House Ants (or sugar ants) are the tricky ones. They have multiple nests and multiple queens, so their nests can be the size of sqft 1200 swimming pool. Being able to get rid of the ants in the house, can be a challenge. For long-term control of ants,pest control suggests  quarterly service. Many times with ants, it takes multiple visits to eradicate.


Factors include period of  the ants infestation , amount of vegetation on the outside (more foliage, means more ants), certain neighborhoods have more ants than others, and condition of the home/structure ,structures with moisture problems will always attract more bugs in general. Cities, such as Seattle, where houses are generally older and closer together, generally require more treatments than other areas.

Ampm pest control  uses the most effective ant products and methods on the market, but there is no silver bullet for getting rid of ants. 


Carpenter ant Nesting sites tunnels are clean and smooth, making the wood appear that it has been sandpapered. In contrast, termite tunnels are not clean looking, but are packed with dirt like material.carpenter ant Mating swarms in April through June. Occasionally swarms may emerge indoors earlier during late winter on warm, sunny days.

The best treatment is to apply an insecticide directly into the ants nest. It is also important to replace damaged or decayed wood, and if possible to eliminate any moisture problems. Baits may also be effective if applied where ant activity is seen. 


Fill small containers with this homemade bait and place them as close to the place where ants are entering your house. Place small containers of the mixture directly in their path. This prevents most of ants from traveling all around the house .

Resist the urge to kill all the ants seen to carry the bait back to the nest, unable to differentiate between the borax and sugar, and the borax particles will eventually kill the entire colony. The more ants that are allowed to find the bait and carry it back, the faster the colony will die off.


Ants can enter homes for any number of reasons, but more than likely, for food. Homes and commercial business buildings just happens to be close to where a queen decided to set up a colony. There’s little chance that they’re going to go away on their own. Either have to learn how to get rid of ants, or let the Pest control for ants professionals take care of the Problem.
Ants can be a particular nuisance when getting into homes. Garden or Black House ants aren’t thought to carry diseases, but the trouble is not knowing where foraging is outside, Them marching through food cupboards is a health risk. Ants will travel in a wide range searching for food, following trails establishing and clustering around the source of food, becoming a nuisance in homes, organizations and businesses.
What do professionals use to get rid of ants?

Carpenter ants live in wood and tunnel through it. The best clue to look for is a small pile of very fine sawdust which are the remains of the wood that have been chewed through. Carpenter ants nest in moist wood located in foundations, decks, wood piles near houses, trees, gaps between boards, etc.

To figure out where ants are entering the house, track the ants back to the nest. Then exterminate all the ants in sight and watch for new ants to appear. Which will help to determine the general entry point. This may give clues to holes that need to be sealed up and possibly a rotting foundation or cracks under doors that give easy access.

What can I spray around my house to keep ants out?
Knowing the species of ant is important. Knowing the enemy,  will help find where the nest is, what sources of food are attracting them and which control extermination methods will be the most effective. For example, tiny black ants generally reside in their colony outdoors. They enter structures in order to scavenge for food such as sugar, starches and meat. A tiny black ant infestation is best treated by following the ant’s trail back to the colony and treating the problem at the source. The next step would be sealing off all entry points so any remaining or future ants cannot get into the house or commercial business buildings. On the other hand, carpenter ants require a much more dedicated approach.
How do I get rid of ants overnight?

Carpenter ants are very hard to control, especially since they prefer to nest in moist wood. These nests can cause wood damage, and since moist wood is typically found in previously damaged locations (e.g., places with leaks, foundations that were exposed to the elements, etc.), this can potentially create a bigger nuisance than just having a few ants walking across the counter. Carpenter ant nests are difficult to find since nesting is in a variety of locations both inside and outside the Property. A more thorough investigation will have to be conducted by a  ants control professional to determine the most effective pest control plan for battling carpenter ants. 

Does spraying for ants really work?

Carpenter ant nests are difficult to find since nesting is in a variety of locations both inside and outside the Property. A more thorough investigation will have to be conducted by a  ants control professional to determine the most effective pest control plan for battling carpenter ants. 

Cost of Ant Exterminators

Hiring a pest control service for ants  is the best way to get rid of ants. Ignoring the situation will not make the problem go away. The cost of calling in a pro to take care of the pest ant problem with no additional services or inspections can cost as little as $199.00  but it will not get rid of the ants in one treatment. Inspection and treatment wall voids where indicated: through electrical and plumbing, plates, and collars in areas of consistent or heavy activity. Inspection and treatment under and behind, baseboards and cabinetry.
How much do Exterminators cost for ants?

 In some homes, treatment of roof beams and tongue and groove ceilings. Where possible, all natural, fresh water diatomaceous earth in areas where it will not become airborne. suggestions of drilling and injecting, or other effective treatment strategies. The average service includes treatment of the exterior, the attic & sub-areas, treatment of suspect wall voids, and spot treatment of interior activity.

What do exterminators do to get rid of ants?
Do-It-Yourself pest control methods may kill a few visible ants which may seem that the infestation has been taken care of. But it does nothing to eliminate the thousands upon thousands that are not visible. Ants may be in non-visible areas that can actively be damaging the structure of the home. Home remedies and Over the counter pesticide sprays may be used and act like repellants but may only extinguish ants on the surface and not at the unseen sources. Unlike other types of ants, baits do not work on Carpenter Ants. When given the chance to access their preferred food sources, aphid secretions and other live insects, Carpenter Ants may remove baits in their way, but will not consume them. Any Carpenter Ant Control strategy must eliminate all the ants homes and commercial business buildings, not just the ones seen, and protect  Properties from future damage and re-infestation.
What companies get rid of ants?

Ant control products that can be purchased at local hardware store comes in many forms. It’s important to remember that these substances may be harmful if the product label directions are not followed. Unfortunately, in most cases won’t solve an ant infestation. Sprays are meant to kill the ants visible and act as a deterrent. Most over-the-counter products have no residual (or lasting) effect. If the ants are still able to enter the home or commercial business building, Ants will simply find a way around the spray. Plus, their colony will still be intact, producing more and more ants, all of which will be hungry. Some colonies are nearly impossible to reach without special equipment. If a colony or nest is located within  walls, a simple spray that anyone can buy will not be sufficient to properly treat the colony. Similarly, outdoor colonies can extend far below the surface, which is where most over-the-counter treatments stop working.

Is pest control worth it for ants?

Black ants are one of the most common insect pests found in homes or businesses in the Seattle area. These ants are roughly .1 inch long and tend to live in large colonies around patios and driveways of Seattle homes. During the summer, ants will often be content to remain outside, but as the weather begins to shift with the arrival of fall, ants will often begin to explore, looking for food.

Scout ants find their way into homes or business buildings, and if they manage to find crumbs, grease and other debris, they will attract more ants, leading to infestations indoors. While most black ants are not harmful to property, humans or pets, they are a nuisance, and most homeowners want to eliminate them as soon as they are spotted.


WHAT DO PROFESSIONAL EXTERMINATORS USE TO KILL ANTS??

Ants leave a scented trail that other ants follow. Sweeping or mopping isn’t enough to eliminate the scent. Killing the ants passing by will not eliminate the problem from its roots. The main source of the colonies is the queen. In order to find the nest and the queen a trail of ants must be followed. It is important to identify the ants taking food crumbs and following them to find the nest. Once the nest has been found, be careful not to disturb the worker ants taking the food to the nest.
Sugar ants love a dirty sink and the water you leave them to help wash down the leftovers. Make sure to rinse out any dishes you're going to leave in the sink over night. And when you do clean the dishes, make sure you rinse and wipe down the entire sink to make certain you haven't left residual sweets, food, or moisture behind. If you're really picky about cleaning, you might even want to try pouring a little bleach down the drain to make sure the smell of rotting food doesn't attract more ants to your kitchen. Dish drains should also be emptied and wiped down before the end of the day.
Little black ants have also garnered the name sugar ant, though their real name is, well, Little Black Ants. Not a lot is known about Little Black Ants, except that they eat just about anything (including other insects) and they really like rotting wood and dark spaces. Getting rid of little black ants, however, despite how little is known about them from a biological perspective, is as easy as getting rid of sugar ants. Sweet baits can be used to control little black ants indoors, and protein baits can be used to control little black ants outdoors.
Look in attics, bathrooms, and exterior walls. When you find the nest, spray it with an insecticide labeled for indoor use. Trim back bushes, shrubs, and trees that brush against your siding or roof. These provide a bridge for ants to reach your home. Avoid stacking firewood next to the house. 

Why are ants in my house?
Ants  may try to find a way to get inside of your home. Inside ants may be found near their food sources, moisture and in hidden, protected places like wall voids, under appliances, behind window frames and beneath floors in through open doors or windows, so you’re never going to prevent bugs enitrely. A sudden ant invasion, though, doesn’t just happen randomly. Ants are constantly on the hunt for food and water for their colonies, so your kitchen and bathroom are the most common spots to find ants

What will keep ants away?
Getting rid of food sources is one of the most important parts of an Ant control program. Sanitation of your kitchen and other areas of your home requires dedication and hard work, but is necessary for an ant-free living space. By eliminating potential hiding and nesting spots ants will find your home or structure less attractive. Ant colonies can number from a couple of hundred to many thousand ants per colony. That means failure to seal entry points can allow new ant colonies or ant sub colonies to re-infest your home. To effectively get rid of ants you usually need to include proper indoor and outdoor sanitation as well as an actual pesticide treatment which includes a mixture of professional-grade baits and sprays.
Do exterminators get rid of ants?
Qualified Exterminators have the experience and knowledge to get to the source of the problem which is to get rid of ants is by destroying the colony where queen resides 

What do exterminators do for ants?
Ants in the house are irritating and annoying especially when they’re not easily eradicated and dealt with. People living in an infested area can encounter various type of problems as these little creatures can basically dwell in either outside the house, on the house and ultimately inside the house or commercial business building. The problem intensity will depend on the level of infestation being experienced in an area though. 
Call a pest control experts because they understand the problem, call ants pest control professionals for the experience, Call Pest Control will eliminate the guess work, professional ant exterminators will save you money and headache. 



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Location: Fremont, Seattle, WA, USA

Friday, October 28, 2016

Get Rid of Ants-Green products spray kill,Remove nests


Pest Control Ant Removal extermination insecticide, pesticide, chemical and bug killer treatment products to spray, eliminate nests at fair prices of
http://ampmexterminators.com


Sugar Ants are  the most common nuisance pest that we face in seattle. These ants do not do any damage to a home, but they sure can be annoying to have to deal with and they can be extremely tricky to get rid of as well.  Although they are commonly referred to as “sugar ants”, they are actually a type of a soil ant called an “odorous house ant”.  If  you are wondering how they get that name, you can squish one with your finger to find out.  They give off a distinct smell kind of like gasoline or rotting coconut that is unmistakable



An ant infestation can drive almost anyone crazy, trying to clean up the problem, only to find they’re back a few hours later can cause frustration to just about anyone. 
 Schedule an Ant Extermination Estimate


Carpenter ants destroy wood by excavating tunnels through
it to live in. If they are in parts of a building that are not
visible or little used they can cause extensive damage before
they are detected. An important thing to remember about
carpenter ants is that their colonies grow slowly and their
damage is done slowly.
Benefits of carpenter ants
Ants are a natural predator of other insects that are pests to
humans, especially termites. Carpenter ants are also
important in the landscape for their role in the breakdown
of wood debris and the creation of soil. They should be left
alone if they are in a location where they are not bothering
humans.
Carpenter ant food
Carpenter ants’ primary foods are other insects, the
honeydew produced by aphids and other insects, and plant
juices. They do not eat wood - they build nests in it. They
will forage for food such as meat, grease and sweets inside
the building. Worker ants share their food with other
colony members.
Removing food sources will help reduce, but may not
eliminate, a carpenter ant infestation. The queen and a few
workers will resort to cannibalism if necessary for their
survival.
Preferred nest locations
Carpenter ants prefer to tunnel into moist wood that is
infested with fungus, but they will also inhabit dry wood.
The main colony is usually outdoors and contains the
queen, workers and immatures. Satellite colonies are often
in buildings and contain workers, reproductives, older
larvae and pupae.
In buildings they live in one or more nests, which are a
combination of the tunnels they have excavated in either
hardwood or softwood. Usually they prefer structural wood and the spaces between boards, but they may be behind
shelves or in stored furniture. Other materials they may
infest are foam and fiberglass insulation. It is easier to
detect carpenter ants than termites within a building
because they will come out into the open while foraging and
can be caught in sticky traps. It can be very difficult to
locate their nests since they may be in areas that are
physically difficult to inspect.
In the landscape they are most likely to be living in a
dead tree or stump or in rotting wood in a living tree. If the
school property does not have nests, the ants may be coming
from a neighbor’s landscape, firewood pile or other wood
debris. An established colony may be spread out in satellite
colony nests located in several stumps or trees connected by
trails.
The carpenter ant life cycle
Ants go through four life stages over a two month period;
egg, larvae, pupae and then adults, which includes female
workers and soldiers, and one fertilized queen who
produces all the eggs. New reproductive queens and males
are produced at the end of the summer and spend the winter
in the nest. In the spring, the new reproductives swarm or
leave the main nest to start their own colonies. The male
dies after mating with the queen. The new queen finds a
nest site and starts a new colony. The spring swarming
period is when carpenter ants are most likely to be seen
around the school. A queen can live for many years and will
not produce new reproductives for 6 to 10 years.
How carpenter ants get into schools
Ants in the building are usually coming from nests outside.
A new colony may get started in the soil under decorative
landscaping bark or debris, but it will soon move into wood
through openings near the foundation.
Foraging ants follow trails from the nest to their
entryways into the building and back to the nest again.
These trails are kept clear of vegetation and are more
defined closer to the nest. Ants returning to the nest will be
carrying insect parts and food while ants leaving will not be
carrying anything. The trails will fan out and disappear as
they get further away from the nest.
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