(NAPSA)—More than 90 percent of the homesin the U.S. have wood frames and according to the University of Massachusetts Department of Building Materials and Wood Technology, property damage caused by wood-destroying insects costs homeownersbillions of dollars yearly. Even structures built primarily out of masonry and steel aren’t immuneto the destruction because they house enough woodto satisfy the most insatiable appetites. Ants contribute to a bulk of these damages. There are more than 12,000 different varieties of ants that potentially invade your home. If you live in the Northeast, the Pacific Northwest or the Midwest, you are dealing with damage to the structure of your home, more than likely from the black carpenter ant. The black carpenter ant does not actually eat wood. Carpenter ants tunnel through wood when constructing their nests. More importantly, because carpenter ants can only tunnel through wood where its strength is compromised by water, their presence signals a larger problem, such as a leaky roof or plumbing in need of repair. Allowing these critters to run wild isn’t just problematic; it’s wasteful in this economic environment, especially because treatments are affordable and easy-to-use. “For indoors, I recommendbait stations, and if immediate control is needed, a crack and crevice spray,” says horticulture expert Dr. Charles Barr. “But, virtually all indoor ant problems come from outdoors. Ant colonies don’t just spontaneously erupt inside your house. Good outdoor control is the best way to keep them from com- ing indoors.” In the yard Ants prefer the outdoors, but we often find them inside as they Carpenter ants cause serious damageto wood. forage for food or search for a warm place to hunker down for the winter. The best way to control ants in your homeis to keep them from entering in thefirst place. AMDRO AntBlock is effective on the most common U.S. ant species including carpenter ants, pavement ants, Argentine ants (the ones that march in lines and rows across yourfloors!), and odorous house ants. Apply around the foundation of your house to create a complete perimeter of protection. Patios and entrance ways Patios, the tiny spaces under doors, and cracks in foundations provide ants with easy access to your home. Grant’s Kills Ants targets these entrances with two easy-to-use baits. One is an ant stake that can be inserted into the ground aroundpatios or laid flat around entrances, and a bait syringe that can be used in hard- to-reach cracks. Inside the home Ants are focused and determinedlittle critters that do enter the home. Baits work well because the worker ants share their “bounty,” quickly destroying the entire colony. Grant’s Kills Ants bait stations are an effective treatment for inside the home. Grant’s Kills Ants also makes an aerosol that kills on contact and remains effective for up to three weeks. For more information, visit www. AMDRO.com, www.BaitIsBetter. com, or www.GrantsProducts.com.
