I usually have ants coming into my kitchen briefly each spring but they are usually dissuaded with a round of spraying and double-checking that all the food in the cabinets and pantries is securely wrapped. But this summer, they have reappeared and are relentless. With the long, hot, dry period we’ve been experiencing, are they seeking water instead of food? I can see they are entering near the back door but can’t find their trail outside. My home originally had wooden siding, with vinyl siding added later, and I worry they may be coming up in between the two. I am also worried they may be carpenter ants. How can I tell the difference between the two?
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“In dry weather they could be seeking moisture,” says John Hopkins, associate professor and extension entomologist with the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. “They could be drawn to any plumbing leaks or even the moisture off the refrigerator.”
He adds that just spraying the ants that appear inside the home won’t solve the problem, as there are surely others behind them that will soon follow.
“The best method is to make a perimeter treatment around the entire exterior of the house,” he says. “Be sure to follow the directions on the product used. It will state how far up the foundation and how far away from the home to treat.”
Also, be sure to thoroughly inspect the exterior of the home and look for areas where ants may be entering.
“If there’s a crack in the wall, fill it, or you may want to replace the threshold seal that’s under the door. Be sure to take care of all those maintenance issues that need to be addressed,” Hopkins says.
When inspecting the home’s exterior, also try to find the ants’ colony and nests.
“It will typically be found under rocks, timbers or mulch; someplace where it will be protected,” he says.
Check for any vegetation that may be in contact with the home.
“You want to make sure any shrubs aren’t in contact with the sides of the home and that tree limbs aren’t in contact with the roof,” Hopkins says. “While regular ants’ nests are on the ground, carpenter ants usually nest in trees.”
How can a homeowner tell the difference between the two?
Carpenter ants are a little bit larger than regular ants and sometimes, but not always, evidence of their destruction of the wood can be seen down below the hole where they’ve been excavating.
“It will look similar to the shavings in a pencil sharpener,” Hopkins says.
The best way to find out for sure?
“Collect two or three of the ants and take them to the local [cooperative] extension officer,” he says. A list of University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service offices by county can be found at uaex.edu/counties.
— Linda S. Haymes
Do you have a decorating or remodeling question? We’ll get you an answer from an authority. Send your question to Linda S. Haymes, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, P.O. Box 2221, Little Rock, Ark. 72203 or email:
lhaymes@arkansasonline.com