Compared to other household pests like termites, rodents, and cockroaches, ants don’t seem like that big of a nuisance. While it is common to see a couple of yard ants around the house, especially during the warm summer months, it can be easy to overlook an ant infestation until it’s too late.

However, carpenter ants are some of the most destructive pests of any kind found in many homes across the U.S., causing severe damage to wooden structures if left uncontrolled. That’s why if you are dealing with a carpenter ant infestation in your home, you must follow these tips to get rid of them quickly.

Compared to other household pests like termites, rodents, and cockroaches, ants don’t seem like that big of a nuisance. While it is common to see a couple of yard ants around the house, especially during the warm summer months, it can be easy to overlook an ant infestation until it’s too late.

However, carpenter ants are some of the most destructive pests of any kind found in many homes across the U.S., causing severe damage to wooden structures if left uncontrolled. That’s why if you are dealing with a carpenter ant infestation in your home, you must follow these tips to get rid of them quickly.

What Do Carpenter Ants Look Like?

First, we must understand what distinguishes carpenter ants from other common ant species.

Carpenter ants are easily identified by their dark-colored bodies and narrow waists. They have bent antennae, and their hind wings are shorter than their front wings. For this reason, carpenter ants are commonly mistaken for termites, as both have slim builds and translucent wings and eat through wooden structures like decks.

Carpenter ants are also big, ranging in size from ¼ inch to ½ long, and the queens can grow up to ¾ of an inch.

Why Are Carpenter Ants So Destructive?

Carpenter ants are destructive due to their nesting behavior, which involves tunneling into wood, weakening its structural integrity. They establish large colonies that grow over time, leading to extensive wood removal.

These ants are also attracted to moisture-damaged wood and often create multiple nests, further increasing the potential for structural damage. Their secretive nature and longevity have led them to be called “silent destroyers,” as their presence can go undetected for a while before homeowners may notice any signs of damage.

Signs of Carpenter Ants

Due to their “secretive nature,” spotting the signs of a carpenter ant infestation may be difficult if you don’t know where to look. Some of the most common signs of carpenter ants you need to be mindful of include:

  • Frass (powdery excrement from carpenter ants chewing wood): This is typically found on the floor or windowsill underneath wooden structures.
  • Rustling noises coming from walls: This could easily be mistaken for other pests, such as rodents.
  • Small tunnels in the wood of your home: These tunnels will appear more like direct holes, not the mud tunnels found with termites.
  • Hollow-sounding wood: This could easily be a sign of carpenter ants or termites.
  • Carpenter ant sightings around the home: Carpenter ants have distinct features, which we described above.

What Attracts Carpenter Ants to Your Home

When carpenter ants enter a home, they are typically searching for food. One of the biggest reasons you may be seeing carpenter ants in your home is due to improper food storage, particularly with items like pet food, honey, and fruit. These pests are also attracted to damp wood, so be careful not to leave firewood stacked near the outside of your home to keep carpenter ants away.

How to Get Rid of Carpenter Ants

1. Insecticides

Insecticides are some of the most commonly used products to eliminate carpenter ants, and these chemicals can be purchased at most home improvement or retail stores. Some of the most popular brands are Terro and Ortho, and as long as you carefully follow the directions, these products should do the job for smaller infestations.

2. Desiccants

A desiccant is a hygroscopic substance that is used to maintain a state of dryness wherever it is applied. Diatomaceous earth is a commonly used desiccant for killing carpenter ants, as the powder can be applied directly to their nest or wherever they regularly walk and dry out the insects.

3. Baits and Traps

Baits and traps are also popular methods of carpenter ant removal, as they can be purchased inexpensively and set up easily. To yield the best results, these traps should be set up close to the ants’ nests. If you aren’t sure where the nest is located, try to observe the travel pattern of the ants in your home and follow them until you reach the nest.

4. Prevention

Ultimately, the best way to control a carpenter ant infestation is by preventing them from entering your home in the first place.

Keeping firewood stored away from your home is imperative to prevent these pests from finding their way inside, and leaky pipes and other moisture problems should be resolved promptly. Seal any gaps and keep your home clean, including your yard free of debris.

5. Professional Pest Control

Investing in professional pest control is the best long-term solution for getting rid of carpenter ants. While seeing the odd ant or two isn’t typically cause for concern, a carpenter ant infestation can quickly get out of control if not dealt with immediately.

An experienced pest control professional will be able to inspect your home to determine the severity of the infestation and create a unique treatment plan to take care of the problem. Besides, the cost of a carpenter ant exterminator will be far outweighed by the cost to repair your home from damage from these pests.

FAQs: Carpenter Ants in the House

Are carpenter ants attracted to specific types of wood?

Carpenter ants are most attracted to wood that is moist, soft, or decaying. Firewood that is left outside is particularly attractive to carpenter ants, so it is always a good idea to store firewood far enough away from your home and ideally in a dry location, like a shed.

What do carpenter ant nests look like?

The appearance of carpenter ant nests can vary greatly depending on the size, location, and structures they choose to build their nests in. Carpenter ants will often create their nests in rotting wood, as it is an easy place to start a nest, so check any wooden parts of your home if you suspect you may be dealing with an infestation.

Are there any DIY sprays that can effectively eliminate carpenter ants?

While professional pest control is always the best way to deal with a carpenter ant infestation, some homeowners prefer to try a DIY approach for smaller infestations. One mixture you can make at home includes two parts water and one part liquid dish soap. Simply pour the solution into a spray bottle and apply it directly to a nest to kill them and wash away the nest.