Why Carpenter Ants Chew On Las Vegas Homes

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Ants
Reading time: 15min
April 9, 2021


carpenter ant on the basement floor

When people think about common wood-destroying pests, termites are the first to come to mind. However, termites aren’t the only insects that can damage the structure of your Las Vegas home. Carpenter ants are another species of wood-destroying pests that can cause extensive damage and cost hundreds or thousands of dollars to repair. Although carpenter ants might not be as well known as termites, they are still a significant threat to your Las Vegas property.

What Do Carpenter Ants Look Like?

Carpenter ants are the largest species of ants that live throughout the United States, ranging between ⅜ and ½ an inch long. These large ants are typically black, red, orange, yellow, or a combination of colors. Worker ants have powerful mandibles used to chew massive networks of tunnels and nesting galleries.

What’s Attracting Carpenter Ants To My Las Vegas Home

Unlike termites, carpenter ants do not eat the wood they infest. Instead, they feed on food sources that are rich in protein and sugar. Carpenter ants are most likely to infest properties that provide easy access to food, moisture, and potential nesting sites. These large, destructive insects eat a variety of things that contain protein and sugar. Things that may attract carpenter ants to your Las Vegas property include:

  • Dead insects
  • Honeydew, which is a secretion produced by aphids
  • Leftover pet food
  • Open garbage cans and compost bins
  • Unprotected gardens
  • Fallen trees, stumps, and other wooden debris
  • Excess moisture caused by leaking pipes and faucets

To avoid attracting carpenter ants to your Las Vegas home, it’s important to minimize the factors that may attract them. Unfortunately, once carpenter ants find a food source on your property, they have a good reason to start building their nests within the structure of your home.

How Destructive Are Carpenter Ants?

You may have heard that carpenter ants aren’t as destructive as termites. And while this is true, it’s important to note that carpenter ants are still a significant threat to your property. Although termites are a billion-dollar problem, carpenter ants still cause millions of dollars worth of damage every year. Left untreated, carpenter ants can inflict extensive damage to your Las Vegas home in a relatively short time. The only reason why carpenter ants don’t cause as much damage as termites are because carpenter ant infestations are much easier to spot. Since carpenter ants don’t eat wood, they have to forage around your home for a food source, which makes them more detectable. Unfortunately, carpenter ants are still incredibly challenging to get rid of, especially without professional help. Without the trained eye of a pest professional, it can be difficult to determine where your carpenter ant infestation is located and what methods should be used to eliminate it.

The most effective way to rid your Las Vegas home of carpenter ants is to call the professionals here at Red Rock Pest Control. We understand how frustrating it is to deal with wood-destroying insects on your own, which is why we’re here to take care of them for you. At Red Rock Pest Control, we are committed to finding the right solution for all of your pest control needs, no matter what type of pest problem you’re facing. Protect your Las Vegas home from carpenter ants and other wood-destroying insects by partnering with the skilled pest technicians here at Red Rock Pest Control today!