Carpenter Ants Hide in Firewood in Manasquan, NJ

A frantic homeowner in Manasquan, NJ contacted Cowleys after observing a small army of carpenter ants around her front door. Like any ant infestation, carpenter ants are a major nuisance for  homeowners. These ants in particular, however, are more of a problem than most ant infestations because these insects cause property damage. The females excavate galleries inside wood to lay their eggs. Not only is this aesthetically unappealing, but the carpenter ant holes can allow in water causing wood rot and further damage.

Successfully treating carpenter ants requires a thorough inspection to determine where the ants are coming from and why they are coming. More often than not, there is some attractant on the property drawing these ants to a home. With this particular infestation, I did not need to do much detective work. As I was on their driveway pulling up to the house, I had a very good idea of the problem that was causing this carpenter ant problem: There was a huge pile of firewood stacked right on the front porch. This was a really bad move on the part of this homeowner. Firewood piles are heaven on earth for carpenter ants. This wood, which is often softened from rain and moisture, is a perfect home for a carpenter ant colony to thrive. You’ll often find carpenter ants in moist wood that can be easily bored through for nesting (as opposed to treated plywood that’s as hard as a rock). This particular firewood pile had plenty of moist wood that would have pleased the most discerning carpenter ant. 

I explained to the homeowner that this firewood was drawing carpenter ants to thier home like a magnet. The entire pile needed to be moved away from home and left under a tarp to help keep the ants away from the home and the firewood dry, respectively. Also, when firewood is brought into the home, it should be used immediately. The man of the house was not overjoyed about relocating the firewood, but understood the importance of doing so. He started moving it then and there while I began treating the exterior perimeter of the home.

My treatment focused on all of the cracks and crevice areas where carpenter ants could possibly enter the residence. As I was treating the exterior perimeter, I noticed a few dead tree stumps in the landscape bed. Lo and behold, when I began to tap the tree stumps, carpenter ants came pouring out! I treated all of the surrounding areas and relayed my findings to the homeowner. They were happy and relieved to receive my crash course on pest problems associated with firewood.