Ants in the ceiling can be a difficult issue to solve. This is especially true in Connecticut where the main ant that we deal with is the carpenter ant. If you’re worried this may be your problem here’s what you’ll need to know.
Any exterminator that you use will need to know construction. As with other more difficult pest issues just spraying when ants are in the ceiling isn’t going to cut it.
What is the first sign that you may have ants in your ceiling?
The first sign of ants in your home is typically seeing live ants inside. However, when you have ants in your ceiling you’ll more likely see piles of sawdust, insulation or ants walking up the walls. One reason is because when ants nest in a roof typically there’s water damage or a recent leak.
If you see a piles of material on the floor it will have dead insects in it and wood shavings. Alternatively, if the ants are burrowing through foam in the ceiling you’ll see insulation falling that’s usually white to tan.
Where are carpenter ants most likely to nest?
Carpenter ants can nest in many places, both dry and wet. However, they prefer areas that have some type of water damage. These areas in a log, vintage or post and beam style structures will be around roof valleys, sky lights and chimney frames. Inspecting directly below these areas on the inside is a great place to look for the piles of sawdust.
How to get rid of ants in the ceiling?
If you think you have ants nesting in your roof here are the reasons that controlling them may be hard.
- Extreme heights of vaulted ceilings
- We can’t drill a roof or skylight to get into the void
- Foam insulation will not allow penetration of products
That’s the bad news, but here’s the good news. In most (not all) cases there’s a solution.
The best time to treat ants is when they’re actively foraging within the structure. As a general rule this will be spring and early summer in CT.
First, we treat the exterior perimeter foundation with newer nonrepellent style insecticides that ants will walk through and bring back to the colony.
Second, if possible we’ll can gain access to the roof and treat under flashing at skylights, chimneys and roof valleys with an insecticidal dust.
Last, on the inside (if height permits) we can sometimes entice foraging ants to feed on special baits that they’ll consume and bring back to the nest.
Envirocare Pest Control in Watertown, CT
We pride ourselves on giving practical solutions to pest problems. If you have a vintage, log cabin or post and beam home give us a call for a free inspection.
There’s always an answer to pest issues. Call 1-888-879-6481.