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do ants eat foam insulation?
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Posted by datura-07 (My Page) on Wed, Mar 11, 09 at 11:38
We have something that falls from our family room ceiling the last couple springs. It's right next to the fireplace and is like fine golden crumbs. Both times, we sprayed the cedar boards(ceiling) close to the fireplace and then we got dead ants falling.
Do they chew on the insulation and if so, might we have a problem up there and need the roofer to come and tear part of the roof off to check it out. Or do we get someone that has one of those thermo meters or whatever you call it and have them check and see if there is heat loss in that area?
thanks for any help you can give me. |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: do ants eat foam insulation?
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| It's possible, but those golden crumbs may be sawdust from wood in your ceiling/walls. I'd first check to see if the ants you have are carpenter ants and then try controlling the infestation. |
Here is a link that might be useful: carpenter ants
RE: do ants eat foam insulation?
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RE: do ants eat foam insulation?
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RE: do ants eat foam insulation?
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| Sounds like nobody has gone up into the attic to see from the other side. |
RE: do ants eat foam insulation?
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| Carpenter ants do not digest wood like termites, but excavate galleries to nest in. The frass they produce looks like tiny shards of wood, not exactly sawdust, but very similar. You would likely need a magnifier (at least) to see what it actually is. You should inspect above the ceiling, and even consider removing some of the ceiling if required to gain access. |
RE: do ants eat foam insulation?
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| Or get a consultation from a pro exterminator. Extirminators are using organics as much as possible these days that are harmless to humans and pets. Ask them about that as well. |
RE: do ants eat foam insulation?
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RE: do ants eat foam insulation?
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| Only if served with a good cabernet . . . had to say it! |
RE: do ants eat foam insulation?
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| "Extirminators are using organics as much as possible these days that are harmless to humans and pets." Pyrethrum is organic and still dangerous in high enough doses. "Organic" is not a measure of safety. |
RE: do ants eat foam insulation?
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| Open cell foam insulation is supposed to be inert when cured and not susceptible to infestation. I would call the Orkin man (or whoever else is in that line of business). |
RE: do ants eat foam insulation?
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| "Open cell foam insulation is supposed to be inert when cured and not susceptible to infestation." The ants excavate galleries and live in the stuff. Until exterior foam starting getting some additives to discourage the ants, they loved to live in the stuff on the warm side. I have designed buried electrical equipment, and keeping out bugs is always a real problem.
The slightest bit of extra warmth attracts them and they can chew through a surprising number of things to gain access. |
RE: do ants eat foam insulation?
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| Oh, come on, brickeye--next, you'll be telling me that arsenic shouldn't be used to brighten my eyes! It's totally natural, you know. |
RE: do ants eat foam insulation?
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| "Oh, come on, brickeye--next, you'll be telling me that arsenic shouldn't be used to brighten my eyes! It's totally natural, you know." Cinnabar is not safe as a blusher either. It was actually used a long time ago though ... |
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