Northgless is known for its beautiful neighborhoods. Homes near Webster Lake or along I-25 often have large trees. These trees are major parts of your property’s value and also offer shade during the hot Colorado summers. However, these older trees are also targets for one of the most destructive pests in Adams County: the Carpenter Ant.
These ants do not eat wood, but they burrow into it. They hollow out soft and decaying wood to build their nests. When they colonize a tree in your yard, it creates a direct path for them to move into your home’s structure. So, if you want to protect your house, you need to start with protecting your trees first.
Do not let wood-destroying ants ruin your Northglenn landscape and invade your home. Secure your valuable trees with saelapest.com.
The Northglenn Tree-to-Home Connection
Carpenter Ants are attracted to any wood that is wet or has started to decay. This is common in large trees in Northglenn. Years of sprinkler irrigation or damage from winter snow can create pockets of soft wood inside a tree trunk or branch.
The ants establish a “parent colony” in this damaged wood. From there, they send out “satellite colonies” to find new nesting sites. The most dangerous path is from the infested tree, across the yard, and directly into the wooden framing of your home.
If a tree branch touches your roof, that becomes an immediate bridge for the ants. Even if it does not touch, the ants will travel to get to your foundation. Their end goal is to find a stable environment, that is, your house.
The Warning Signs In Your Yard
Since the ants do not eat the wood, the damage can be hard to spot. You won’t see piles of sawdust like you would with termites. Instead, Carpenter Ants leave out wood shavings as they tunnel, commonly known as frass.
You need to look for specific signs near your trees and home to be safe. For instance, frass piles near the base of a tree, around the porch steps, or near the garage door.
It is also important to identify the species of ants. Carpenter Ants are large and black, about 1/4 to 1/2 inch long. They are commonly found foraging around the base of a tree or on your deck is a major sign of a nearby colony. They are often most active at night.
One of the less obvious signs is the sound they make. In the quiet of the evening, you might hear a faint rustling sound coming from inside a tree or inside the walls of your home. This is the sound of thousands of ants moving and tunneling inside the wood.
Finally, tree wounds can give away the presence of carpenter ants easily. Inspect your trees for old pruning cuts, hollowed areas, or holes at the base. These are prime entry points where moisture has already softened the wood for the ants.
Damage Caused By Carpenter Ants
When carpenter ants invade your property, they cause structural damage. A large colony living inside a mature shade tree can weaken the trunk significantly. This makes the tree much more susceptible to breaking apart during high winds or heavy snow.
If they get inside your house, they can damage your wood and door frames, the wood around your roofline, and structural beams as well. They can tunnel through floor joists and wall studs and weaken the integrity of your house.
Hire A Dedicated Northglenn Tree Protector!
If you are from Northglenn and want to protect your valuable trees from carpenter ants, Saela Pest Control is your best bet. They are the local experts at inspections and the elimination of ants and several other pests. With guaranteed treatment, you won’t have to experience sleepless nights anymore. Call Saela Pest Control today!
