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Carpenter Ant Control in Kent County, DE
Big black ants or little piles of sawdust near the trim? We track down the colony, not just the ants you can see.
What we do
Carpenter ants are shiny black or dark brown and about 1/4 to 1/2 inch long. They don't eat wood. They hollow it out to nest, and they prefer wood that's damp or already rotting. The giveaway is coarse, stringy sawdust mixed with bits of insects, often near windows, sills, or leaky spots. They forage mostly at night, so you may not see many during the day. The main colony is often outside, with smaller satellite nests in the house. If those nests aren't found and treated, the ants can come back within weeks.
How we treat it
Nest tracking
We look for the main colony and any satellite nests, inside and out.
Baits and dusts
We use baits and dusts placed where the ants travel and nest.
Perimeter treatment
A treatment around the outside of the home stops ants moving between nests.
Pick a plan
Every home is different. Pick one, answer a few quick questions, and we'll message you back with a quote.
- Most popular
Monthly
We come out every month through the season so small problems stay small.
Get a quote → One-time
For a single problem you want handled now. We treat it and stand behind the work.
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What to expect
1. Inspect
We check for sawdust piles, damp or damaged wood, and the paths ants use to get in.
2. Treat
We treat the nests we find and the routes between them. We'll tell you when kids and pets can go back into treated areas.
3. Follow up
All of our work comes with a 30-day warranty. If pests come back within 30 days of a treatment, call us and we'll come back out at no extra charge.
How to get ready
- Leave any sawdust piles where they are. They help us find the nest.
- Make a note of where you've seen ants, especially at night.
- Clear a path to the basement, attic, and crawl space if you can.
After your treatment
- Fix leaks and replace wet or rotted wood. Carpenter ants prefer wood that's damp.
- Keep firewood off the ground and away from the house, and trim plants back from the walls.
- If they're still a problem within 30 days, call us and we'll come back at no extra charge.
Common questions
How much is carpenter ant control?
It depends on the property and the pest. Call us and we'll give you a quote.
Are carpenter ants the same as termites?
No. Carpenter ants hollow out wood to nest but don't eat it. Their tunnels are smooth and clean, while termite tunnels have soil in them.
Do carpenter ants damage houses?
They rarely cause structural damage, but they do tunnel into wood, especially wood that's wet or rotting. It's worth fixing leaks and rotted wood.
Why do I see them at night?
Carpenter ants forage mostly at night. Seeing winged ones indoors in spring is another sign there's a nest nearby.
How can I keep them away?
Trim plants back from the house, keep firewood off the ground and away from the walls, and fix leaks and rotted wood.
Seeing something? Call us.
(302) 697-8969Office hours: Monday to Friday, 10am to 3pm
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