Ants

At the Bug Runner, we offer effective pest control treatment in Bergen County NJ and Rockland County NY for carpenter ants and other pests.

There are many types of ants in nature, for our purposes we are not going to be too technical or comprehensive in this section. By far the most common ant we treat is the Carpenter ant (C-Ant).

Treatments/chemical applications

What chemicals are used and how they are applied is determined by the technician while at the house. Each house is different, we may start off with the same basic treatment, then based on the response, re-apply or vary the approach. Always we attempt control using the least amount of chemical, strategically placed, along with non-chemical interventions.

Cost

The office can give a price range over the phone, but the exact fee is determined by the technician upon completion of the job.

Warranty

The standard Bug Runner warranty for an ant treatment is 60 days. (extended warranties are available for an additional fee)

Post Treatment

After the initial service we ask the customer to allow ten days for the chemicals to work, during that time it is not unusual to see an increase in activity or to find ants in new areas. This is a common reaction to the treatment. If after the ten day period LIVE ants are found, the customer should call The Bug Runner and set an appointment for a “re-treat”. We will re-treat as many times as needed during the warranty, some homes need only one treatment, others may need several treatments, it varies with each job.

Carpenter Ants

A Brief Overview

An ant not to ignore is the carpenter ant. Its job in nature is to help break down cellulose (wood) and return nutrients to the soil. They do this by using wood to tunnel through as safe highways and/or hollow it out for nesting areas. They do not eat the wood. They chew through it and spit it out, hence the sawdust you may find in their wake. Out in the forest this activity is of no particular consequence to humans, but bring it close to or into our home and it can cause expense and danger to us.

Treatments

Chemical applications: What chemicals are used and how they are applied is determined by the technician while at the house. Each house is different, we may start off with the same basic treatment, then based on the response, re-apply or vary the approach. Always we attempt control using the least amount of chemical, strategically placed, along with non-chemical interventions.

Cost

The office can give a price range over the phone, but the exact fee is determined by the technician upon completion of the job.

Warranty

The standard Bug Runner warranty for an ant treatment is 60 days. (extended warranties are available for an additional fee)

After the initial service we ask the customer to allow ten days for the chemicals to work, during that time it is not unusual to see an increase in activity or to find ants in new areas. This is a common reaction to the treatment. If after the ten day period LIVE ants are found, the customer should call The Bug Runner and set an appointment for a “re-treat”. We will re-treat as many times as needed during the warranty, some homes need only one treatment, others may need several treatments, it varies with each job.

C-Ants in your Landscape

Many trees that fall during storms have been weakened by carpenter ant activity. Some trees can harbor several nests compromising more than one branch and/or the main trunk. Regularly checking the health (insect pests and disease) of trees on your property is a worthwhile investment. Clean-up costs for fallen trees and replacement of what they may have fallen on, generally is more than the cost of an annual inspection/ trimming or spraying. A healthy landscape increases your property’s value, and reduces danger to your family and home.

Railroad tie retaining walls are another potential nesting area for carpenter ants and they can be difficult, often impossible to get rid of once there. This can be annoying and/or dangerous depending what the RR ties are holding back, or up.

C-Ants in your House

As mentioned earlier C-ants, or carpenter ants, are by far the most frequent ant pest we are asked to address. They can be a tricky little invader to track down and eliminate. The first checklist we go through:

Have you seen ants with wings?

This would be the swarmer or reproductive stage.

Have you found sawdust that you could not explain in some other way?

C-Ants will push sawdust and other debris out of their tunnels through cracks or holes as part of their regular “clean-up”.

Have you had any water damage or leaks in the house? Leaky pipes? leaky window? Leaky roof? Dishwasher that likes to overflow?

Carpenter ants need moisture for their main nest. They also prefer wood that has been wet because the texture is changed from the swelling and softening that occurs.

Have you seen live ants inside during cold weather?

Carpenter ants do not forage when the weather is cool outside so any you see active indoors during the winter are probably from a colony located inside the house.

Unfortunately answering “no” to these questions doesn’t mean you don’t have a problem or even a nest in your house. Satellite nests don’t have to be wet and these nests have been found in odd places, hollow core doors, in curtain rods even a child’s plastic toy. Also, C-Ants can forage for food and water 3-4 hundred feet from their nest. That constant stream of ants you’ve seen can be coming from a nest out in the woods or even next door. Conversely, activity can be hidden inside walls, so that the occasional single ant you see can be from a nest in your windowsill or eave.

What your “yes” answers do tell us is where to start looking and help narrow the initial hunt. Swarmers coming out of a crack or crevice inside the house, or sawdust found without another explanation, indicate a nest in the vicinity. Water damage or active leaks make those areas prime choices for nesting sites.

Other Ants

Most of the time, small ants (we’ll say “other” ants for now) are an annoyance, especially in large quantities. In general, most are harmless and don’t cause any damage.

One type of ant that you may encounter is called the Odorous House Ant. You will find these in your home because they nest in the home’s structures. They do not harm anything, but they are annoying in large quantities, as are all pests—areas such as heaters and pipes they love because of the moisture they create. Having your plumbing up to par is vital for most pest issues BTW, not just ants. Any leaks may attract pests or create a pest friendly environment. These little ants love to search your kitchen for food. Tidiness also pays off when it comes to pests, be sure to clean up after yourself!

Another type of ant that you may find on your property is called the Pavement Ant. These guys nest underneath your sidewalks or any variety of pavement. If you see them inside, they are nesting somewhere inside the structures of your home. Just as the above Odorous House Ant, they do not eat wood or cause harm other than being annoying.

If the intruding ants become a constant issue, we recommend increased sanitation to eliminate food or water sources that may be an attractant. You also may want to trim greenery away from your home and foundation a good two feet away. Make sure your firewood is not close to the house or foundation, either. Mulch beds deeper than 3” are not a good idea either. If that doesn’t help (or you are too grossed out or too impatient to wait for that to work), we can do a treatment to help control them.

Have a sample for us, so if you have a “special” type of ant, we can target our chemical choice and application to the specific species. Sending us a photo can also be helpful. We provide free estimates, so please give us a call, and we can rid you of those annoying little ants!

PEST CONTROL IN BERGEN COUNTY NJ AND ROCKAND COUNTY NY

When it comes to ants and other pests, it’s important to get in touch with a local pest exterminator in Bergen County NJ or Rockland County NY right away before the problem gets worse. At the Bug Runner, we’re standing by to provide fast and effective pest control treatment for your home or business.

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