carpenter ants

[Jan Lemon]

I"ve observed carpenter ants going into wood trim on the outside of my house. Orange oil only kills on contact. How can I be sure we don't have an ant colony living inside the wood somewhere and how much damage can they do? They were here last year and are more plentiful this year.

Janis

[goo0h]

For me, every Summer I had ants coming into a back bathroom, the only part of the building that has wood on the exterior wall (it's a bump-out from the otherwise brick house.) In desperation I got some of these bait stations:

http://www.epestsupply.com/antpro.htm

I put in the bait, and didn't have any further problems at all! In fact I've been waiting to refill the station this summer, but so far they have not reappeared. However, if/when they do, I'm ready.

Now, I'm aware the bait itself isn't terribly mild stuff, but I suspect it's at least better than spraying toxic stuff around like most exterminators would do.....

Amos