How Long Does Carpenter Ant Season Last in DC?

Carpenter ants have earned quite a reputation, and rightly so. They can be extremely destructive when they find a vulnerability in a man-made structure. So it is a good idea for all of us to know as much about these destructive pests as we can.

Today, we're going to talk seasonality for carpenter ants; when the season begins, when the season ends and, most importantly, what you can do to protect your DC home throughout the carpenter ant season.

Pest seasons don't work exactly like climate seasons. They aren't quite as precise. When we look at spring, for instance, we can determine the exact first day by matching it to the vernal equinox. Not long ago, the first day of spring was March 21st. It has recently been changed to March 20th.

This precision is due to astronomical alignment and does not take into consideration temperatures. Carpenter ant season, on the other hand, relies almost solely on temperature. So we can't say carpenter ant season begins on a certain day. The best we can do is say that it generally begins in May and generally ends in September for residents of Maryland.

Since carpenter season is based on temperatures, sometimes it can stretch into October. It all depends on the movement of warm air coming up from the South. If we have an unusually warm October, guess what, those carpenter ants are going to stay active and take longer to go into winter dormancy. That is bad news for property owners.

Another point to consider is that carpenter ants can find warmth even when it's cold outside. We can have the coldest October on record and your home could still have active carpenter ants inside. It all depends on whether or not they can find warm timbers to tunnel in.

If they do, they'll be active all winter long. So, in reality, carpenter ant season doesn't ever really end for some carpenter ants. The weather outside might be frightful, but temperatures inside your home are delightful, especially for carpenter ants. And those destructive ants are known to be active in the ground in temperatures as low as 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

This is Bad, Isn't It

Carpenter ants are only one of many pests that can attack our DC homes. While it is certainly bad to consider that carpenter ants, termites, wood borers and other destructive pests can be active all year long, there is good news. Modern pest control has risen to meet the challenge these pests present.

The days of spraying and praying are gone. Pest management is a science that has been refined by entomologists, scientists, and pest control experts. The methods, products, and technologies we employ are nothing short of amazing.

Make a Plan

The reasons homes get damaged by carpenter ants is that they don't have a pest control plan or they have a pest control plan that doesn't work. It is vital that every homeowner consider the cost of pest invasions and appropriately invest in a plan to prevent or defer this cost.

It's going to cost you something. Pest damage is inevitable. The world is filled with creatures that can hurt your home, from tiny wood-boring beetles to big fat rats to even larger raccoons. These pests can chew tunnels inside the wood of your home and chew holes through wood in locations you can't see.

This can weaken the structure and cause cascading damage. It can also allow rainwater to get inside, creating even more problems. When you invest in year-round protection for your DC home, you decide how much you're going to allow those pests to cost you. And with important assurances in places, such as a termite service Warranty, you're not going to be left holding the bill.

What You Can Do About Carpenter Ants

There are many ways you can make your home less of a target for carpenter ants. If you're not ready to invest in year-round protection, please consider taking the time to:

• Do routine inspections of your exterior walls and seal any holes or gaps you find. This will help to keep carpenter ants from getting inside and attacking soft targets within your home.

• Reduce moisture around your home to prevent the wood rot which is inviting to carpenter ants.

• Replace rotting wood. If wood has already started to rot, it is a good idea to have it removed.

• Control food sources. When carpenter ants come into your yard, the last thing you want is for those ants to find a bite to eat. It is nearly impossible to remove all of the food these insects eat but sealing trash cans and feeding pets inside your home, rather than in the yard, can have an impact.

• Keep your perimeter trimmed. Carpenter ants like overgrowth and vegetation because they eat insects that thrive in this environment.

• Reduce plants and plant-eating insects. The more plants you have in your landscaping, the more interesting your home will be to carpenter ants.  

How American Pest Can Help

It pays to have a licensed and experienced pest profession do routine inspections of your exterior and interior. A professional knows what signs carpenter ants leave behind and will be able to quickly address infestations when they take root.

At American Pest, we employ highly trained and certified technicians who deploy the most advanced products and technologies to control carpenter ants and a wide range of other pests. With 4 services a year, you'll have year-round protection.

If any issues pop up between services, you'll have access to a professional who knows your specific pest pressures and the conditions around and inside your home. This ensures a quick and appropriate response to any pest threat.

If you live in DC, Maryland, Northern Virginia or the surrounding areas, let the team at American Pest help you safeguard your equity, and protect your belongings and health from the harmful influence of pest creatures.

Reach out to us today to schedule a free visit from one of our pest-management professionals and get your protection in place today.