Ah, home ownership. ISN’T IT GREAT?!
First of all, you practically need to sell an organ on the black market just to be able to AFFORD a house these days. Then, if you stumble upon a small fortune and are actually able to buy one, you are bombarded with problem after problem after problem that are yours, and yours alone, to deal with. And don’t even get me started on the heating costs.
But one of the worst things that comes along with owning a house is dealing with the various INFESTATIONS. Melody recently had flies (and, as a result, maggots…ew). Forman is currently dealing with CARPENTER ANTS.
Did you know Carpenter ants are a pretty common problem in the HRM? Carpenter ants like to dig into wood and make nests and lay eggs. Lovely, huh?
The most common carpenter ant found in Canada is the black carpenter, which is usually dark brown or black in colour and ranging from ¼ of an inch to ½ an inch in size. Chances are if you’ve spotted a large, black ant in your home, it is most likely a carpenter ant. But don’t worry, they don’t typically bite humans, they’re just using their strong jaws to gnaw away at your half-a-million-dollar home. No big deal.
Older homes are more prone to infestations because carpenter ants like rotted or damaged wood – BUT Forman’s house is only 6 years old!!
In his case, the ants were found nesting in damp wood. Which means, if there are areas in your home that are prone to moisture, carpenter ants will make their way there. So, think about old door frames, sinks, bath tubs, and leaky roofs. Carpenter ants will also enjoy any tasty food debris left around your kitchen.
Not sure if they’re carpenter ants? Look for their tell-tale sign of wood carnage:
So what do you do if you find these tiny terrors?
Before you burn your house down, your FIRST move should be calling Pest Control. A pest professional will be able to locate the nest, assess the situation and identify WHY there is a problem in the first place (in Forman’s case, it was the damp wood and a leakage problem he didn’t even know about [FUN!]), and they will help you treat the situation.
But there are some things you can do on your own to prevent problems before they occur:
Outside:
- Store wooden items (like firewood) away from your home, making sure that they don’t touch the exterior of your house.
- Seal any cracks or openings on the exterior of the home that could provide easy entry.
- Get rid of any wet or moist debris and fix any moisture damaged wood.
- Remove any decaying tree stumps from your yard.
- Trim any overhanging trees and prune branches that may be touching your roof.
Inside:
- Keep counter tops free of food debris (I know, please don’t shoot the messenger).
- Seal cracked or leaking faucets, pipes or bathtubs.
- Store leftover food and packaged items in tightly sealed containers, including pet food.
- Avoid leaving grease or liquid spills in exposed areas.
And if we haven’t already scared you off from the prospect of home ownership, have a listen to Forman’s FULL laundry list of issues with his 6 year old home – you can hear it at 20:20 on the Melody & Forman podcast:
