Take a look at the following picture for a moment. This is a picture of the fireplace in my living room. Can you see what is wrong? Yes, there is a cactus in the bird cage. What is wrong with that? No----the fireplace is not eating the hassock. Yes there is a little burn mark on the floor where the corner of the hearth points to. (That is what happens when you set a hot fireplace screen on wood-----but not what I am after.) No----nothing wrong with the bollard, but that is a good question----why DOES my fireplace have a bollard? Bad housekeeping? I wish. Unfortunately when you see something like this in your home, you likely have Carpenter Ants. As they excavate the wood for their habitat they have to do something with the “frass” so it gets kicked out somewhere----in this case there was a small hole on the underside of the window seat that was convenient for them----sometimes they create a little hole called a “window” to kick out the debris. If you look closely at the pile of debris it will be distinguished from regular sawdust by containing other particulate----including body parts of Carpenter Ants. In this case you can’t just go to the hardware store and buy a can of “Antaway” and be good to go. You have to call the Pest Control Operator and have the whole house treated for Carpenter Ants. Charles Buell, Seattle Home Inspector
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Charles - I like the progression of pictures you used here to illustrate how closely you have to look to understand what's happening with this property. Nicely done.
Had them in a houe some years back. They did alot of damage to sill plate and some of the structural. It cosy a great deal to fix, plus the treatment for them. Good Luck.
What a GREAT post. I assumed a bollard was going to be the name of an obscure piece of mantel that I could use to show off at my next inspection. I looked it up "a short vertical post" now used to describe those vertical cement blocks that block entrances to buildings especially since 9/11. So your candle bollard is the guard to your little pest problem?
I love word games -- wouldn't an AR word game be fun?
New subscriber -- thanks!
Charles....you said that was YOUR living room....those ants aren't very smart by infesting YOUR living room....they should have known better.
Jason, thanks
Ed, with Carpenter Ants you for sure want to catch them early. Any signs of Carpenter Ants walking around on the interior of the home or on the exterior of the home or maintaining trails on the property should be taken VERY seriously.
Leslie----I like the idea of an AR word game----thanks for subscribing! (by the way the "bollard" is a foam Massage Roll :)
Barbara----yup----back choice. Part of the point I wanted to make though is that even a Licensed Structural Pest Inspector is not immune :)
Ouch - you need to call the carpenter uncle.
We had a case of Carpenter Bees last year (never seen them before)...They left a very similar mess.
Also, glad to learn what a Bollard is in your above comment! I really do learn something everyday from reading your blog! Thank You!
Glenn, I just yelled "uncle" and called the Pest Control guy :)
Amy, always glad to help.
Carpenter ants, termites and water. The three things that will destroy a home quicker than you could imagine. And all of them are avoidable with some preventative action and maintenance.
Mr Charles,
Correct me if I am wrong, but did I not tell you after a crawl one day, that you had a carpenter ant problem in the basement.
Nutsy
Craig, Carpenter ants are tough----they will go where ever it is easy
Nutsy, you should just consider yourself permanently corrected.
Here in TN we have termites and all seller's must provide a "clean termite letter" to the buyrs. Is there such a thing for carpenter ants?
Interesting! Y'all have more problems with WDO's than we do. So much to be said about being eaten out of house and home...
And here I thought you were going to say that the white, columnar chair is too close to that ottoman... Well, I happen to think it is. You seem to want me to think it is a vacuum bollard.
Bummer about the ants Charlie. Do a perimeter sweep and treat on dude.
Your Aunt is really a carpenter?
I like the cactus in the bird cage...a good idea. Sad for you about the pests though. all the best of luck...
Another great blog Charles! I like the "find the issue" in this photo game! As an Austin Home Inspector and the title of your blog, I kept studying that fireplace looking for an issue. We have LOTS of carpenter ants here in Central Texas especially here in "Green" Austin where we have a lot of trees in close proximity to the homes. Watch that tree limb overhang! Any limbs in contact can become a Carpenter Ant Highway. Another product available as a bait is "MaxForce", that can be purchased at specialty pool and chemical businesses.
Charles, great shots, I like it. Check out my recent blog. More good ant pics from this week. Found a outside nest (better there than your house!).
Later Don
Put a link Don!
Diane, nothing like that for Carpenter Ants here
Michael, I am surprised, I would think you would have lots of Carpenter Ants and Termites
Jay, haven't seen any sign of the ants since the bug guy was here :)
Bill, I am not sure why the cactus ended up in the bird cage but it has been in there a long time.
Glen, in the NW it is a full time job keeping those pathways away from the house
Don, thanks----will check it out----and go ahead and add a link in your comment if you like
Jay, see my comment to Don
I bet you saw the ear-markings of them little vermin and flipped!! On the plus side, you didn't have to call in a home inspector to tell you what's going on1!
I didn't think it was a bollard, I thought it was a ginormous white candle.
Carla----correct on both counts :)
Alan---others have commented that it looked like a big candle.
My eyes were drawn immediately to the spot on the 1/4 round, but not because I'm a Home Inspector. It was through life experience. Just wanted you to know you weren't alone. My experience was 2 years ago and after the treatment we've had no repeat. Good Post Charles.
Jack, yes----in relation to Carpenter Ants---anyone can be unlucky:)
Seriously, what the heck is with the bollard?
Reuben, see comment to Leslie in comment #5 :)
Charles, these little guys make a mess. I had them several years back and I wasn't sure what they were at the time. Excellent information post to educate us.
Aha. Missed that one.
Diane, yes they can----and thanks
Reuben, I thought maybe :)
Charles-
Why on God's green Earth are you bring a massage roll to an inspection? ;)