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Alaskan Pests (Of Course Mosquitoes are a way of life)
Carpenter Ants - Our Worst Problem
One of the most serious and destructive insects in Alaska are carpenter ants. There are at least seven different species of carpenter ants in the U.S. We have the largest species in Alaska, The "Herculean", and possibly one other species in South East Ak. Unlike termites, carpenter ants do not eat wood but nest in it, creating chambers and making the wood look like a honeycomb. In nature, their job is to recycle dead wood. They are masters at it. They start with a "Mother" nest, followed by support satellite nests. The ants habit an area until it is well populated, at which point winged male and females fly off to start the process again. When they get into your roof or walls, you have not only a major reconstruction problem but also a financial expense that may have been avoided by preventative measures.
This is where an ounce of prevention is worth a ton of cure.
Carpenter ants are very difficult to control. Baiting does not work efficiently. Chemical Companies are researching this idea further, though they have yet to come up with a bait that will work consistently.The best method for remediation of the ants is to set up a chemical barrier around the base of your home. This will protect your home even if the ants have invaded the structure. The new insecticides will remediate the carpenter ants without drilling holes or taking the building apart. We use a non repellent insecticide which kills Carpenter Ants and Social insects. You do not have to leave the home. There is no smell. You must not spray or bait with over the counter insecticides. These cancel out the non repellent insecticide.
One needs to realize that carpenter ants build numerous satellite nests. If you knock out one nest, the problem is not eliminated. The queen remains and continues to produce more off spring. Many times the “parent nest” may be on your neighbors' property. Locating a parent nest is for the most part futile and not cost effective. The new insecticides will do the job. They are environmentally friendly. The emphasis is always on protecting the home.