Carpenter Ants Trailing Along the Front Porch Railing in Warren, NJ

Challenge

While sitting on his front porch, this homeowner in Warren, NJ noticed a trail of ants marching along his railing. He then went inside and called our office for help. 

When we arrived and started inspecting the area, we found the ants trailing from a nearby tree in the front yard and identified them as carpenter ants. Carpenter ants are wood-destroying insects and excavate wood in order to build their nests. They are range in size from ¼ to ½ inch in length and are usually black in color; however, they can also be red or brown.

Solution

We applied a granular bat around the base of the tree and to the grassy areas. Next, we treated the exterior of the home with a liquid residual. Lastly, we applied an ant gel bait along the railing on the front porch. The carpenter ants will come in contact with any of these applications, return to their nest, and transfer the treatments throughout their colony either by feeding one another, grooming one another, or eating their own dead. In a short amount of time, the carpenter ants will be exterminated.