Flying carpenter ants: Hey everyone...we are starting to see some flying carpenter ants in the basement....YUK! We haven't been able to find any evidence of a nest anywhere. Does...

CindyHouk Loc: Nw MT

Hey everyone...we are starting to see some flying carpenter ants in the basement....YUK! We haven't been able to find any evidence of a nest anywhere. Does anyone know how to figure out where they are coming from and what type of stuff I can use to try and kill them? Since it's winter outside...I know they are not coming in from outside so they have to have a nest somewhere in the basement.

What is the best course of action to take to try and get rid of them?

Thanks
Cindy

Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona

Professional Pest Control

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

There will be holes in the wood somewhere. Professionals know how to plug/treat these holes. Do not let the situation get too bad as they can really damage wood.

canonclicker

CindyHouk wrote:

Hey everyone...we are starting to see some flying carpenter ants in the basement....YUK! We haven't been able to find any evidence of a nest anywhere. Does anyone know how to figure out where they are coming from and what type of stuff I can use to try and kill them? Since it's winter outside...I know they are not coming in from outside so they have to have a nest somewhere in the basement.

What is the best course of action to take to try and get rid of them?

Thanks
Cindy

E-mail Sippyjug104, he'll photograph every little one of them from every angle, up close and even one at a time and then the whole batch. Then he'll drop th em in denatured alcohol to shoot them next year!

Red6

CindyHouk wrote:

Hey everyone...we are starting to see some flying carpenter ants in the basement....YUK! We haven't been able to find any evidence of a nest anywhere. Does anyone know how to figure out where they are coming from and what type of stuff I can use to try and kill them? Since it's winter outside...I know they are not coming in from outside so they have to have a nest somewhere in the basement.

What is the best course of action to take to try and get rid of them?

Thanks
Cindy

Sounds like termites. Call a pest company to take a look. Most ants do not fly and here in the south if you see something that looks like an ant but has wings, it is usually termites swarming from a nest somewhere.

Have you received any wood products or cardboard lately and have stored it in your basement? At the company I used to work for we had a termite issue that was traced to pallets of cardboard boxes used for packaging our products. While termites prefer wood, wood by-products i.e. cardboard, is just as good.

Since they usually live and thrive inside the house, they are usually oblivious to the weather outside. But they could also have hitched a ride in something you brought into the house.

Tdearing Loc: Rockport, TX

Check out https://www.domyown.com they will fix your ant/termite issue. They are the best.

ELNikkor

Agree with Red6; termites!

Bloke Loc: Waynesboro, Pennsylvania

canonclicker wrote:

E-mail Sippyjug104, he'll photograph every little one of them from every angle, up close and even one at a time and then the whole batch. Then he'll drop th em in denatured alcohol to shoot them next year!

sorry, forgot to quote last time

rustfarmer

Termites can be distinguished from carpenter ants but the length of the wings vs. their body. No trick to getting rid of them, just use a product intended to target them.

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

CindyHouk wrote:

Hey everyone...we are starting to see some flying carpenter ants in the basement....YUK! We haven't been able to find any evidence of a nest anywhere. Does anyone know how to figure out where they are coming from and what type of stuff I can use to try and kill them? Since it's winter outside...I know they are not coming in from outside so they have to have a nest somewhere in the basement.

What is the best course of action to take to try and get rid of them?

Thanks
Cindy

You've told us you have a basement but do not tell of what material it is made. A wood foundation will require different techniques than one made of concrete. You also fail to mention any out-buildings. Not sure how much "winter' you have had but carpenter ants may still be nesting in protected nooks of a building. Professional exterminators can help you with the problem.

Thought you were enroute to AZ?

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

CindyHouk wrote:

Hey everyone...we are starting to see some flying carpenter ants in the basement....YUK! We haven't been able to find any evidence of a nest anywhere. Does anyone know how to figure out where they are coming from and what type of stuff I can use to try and kill them? Since it's winter outside...I know they are not coming in from outside so they have to have a nest somewhere in the basement.

What is the best course of action to take to try and get rid of them?

Thanks
Cindy

I'd call Terminex, they spray every 3 months plus whenever we feel the need, had a termite scare once, now no bugs!

CindyHouk Loc: Nw MT

thanks everyone, to answer some questions....I was able to distinguish that these are carpenter ants not termites, the basement is cement and the closest out building is the garage. However we do have cedar siding on the house and 2 summers ago we had to replace a bunch of planks on the desk because of ants. So I am wondering if they did move into the house at that point and we are just starting to see them inside now because it's winter. And by winter I mean below freezing at night and 30 to 40 during the day, with about 8 inches of snow on the ground.

I will check out the link provided.

We will be heading to AZ in January...so I have a few weeks to deal with this problem!

Thanks again everyone

alberio Loc: Casa Grande AZ

CindyHouk wrote:

Hey everyone...we are starting to see some flying carpenter ants in the basement....YUK! We haven't been able to find any evidence of a nest anywhere. Does anyone know how to figure out where they are coming from and what type of stuff I can use to try and kill them? Since it's winter outside...I know they are not coming in from outside so they have to have a nest somewhere in the basement.

What is the best course of action to take to try and get rid of them?

Thanks
Cindy

Giant Anteater

CindyHouk Loc: Nw MT

alberio wrote:

Giant Anteater

Ya got one I can borrow?