Carpenter ants are destructive pests and one of the most common indoor invaders in Florida state. Unlike termites, they don’t eat wood; instead, they tunnel into wood base structures to create nests, which can lead to significant structural damage and sometimes expensive repairs.
Signs Of A Carpenter Ant Infestation
Knowing the warning signs and nipping the problem in the bud before it gets out of hand is the best way to avoid the inconvenience and potential damage caused by carpenter ants. Some of the most common signs to look out for are listed below.
Piles Of Wood Shavings (Frass)
One of the most common indicators of carpenter ant activity is the appearance of fine sawdust-like material, known as frass. Carpenter ants push this material out of their tunnels as they excavate wood, so if you see unexplained piles of shavings around baseboards or wooden fixtures, it’s time to act.
Rustling Sounds Inside Walls
Another telltale sign of a carpenter ant infestation is faint rustling or tapping sounds coming from inside your walls. This noise is caused by ants moving through their tunnels or excavating wood and can indicate a hidden nest inside a wall, support pillar, or other wooden structure.
Spotting Large Black Ants Indoors
Seeing large red ants in the house or big black ants outside could mean you’re hosting a colony. These ants are larger than most other common household ants and are often active at night. If you frequently see them trailing along walls, baseboards, or around sinks and bathtubs, you likely have a nesting site nearby. Carpenter ants can grow to 5/8 of an inch and have two sets of wings. For more ways to identify carpenter ants visually, read our identification guide.
Where Carpenter Ants Nest
Understanding carpenter ants’ nesting behavior is key to effective removal. Knowing where they build their nests gives you a clear starting point.
Inside Damp Or Decaying Wood
Carpenter ants prefer moist, rotting wood for nesting. Indoors, this can include water-damaged window frames, crawlspaces, or wall voids. Outdoors, they often nest in tree stumps, old fence posts, or piles of firewood.
Satellite Nests Vs. Main Nests
Carpenter ants commonly establish satellite nests that support a main colony. While the main nest may be outside, satellite nests can form inside walls or attics. How to treat carpenter ants effectively can be challenging, as treating just one nest often isn’t enough.
DIY Carpenter Ant Removal Methods
There are several steps you can take on your own to begin treating carpenter ants. If you’re curious about how to get rid of carpenter ants in the house, these methods can help reduce the population and limit damage.
Using Ant Baits Strategically
One of the best ways to get rid of carpenter ants is using slow-acting ant baits. These allow foraging ants to carry the poison back to the nest, eliminating the colony over time. Place baits near trails or entry points, and be patient – they may take several days to work.
Applying Boric Acid Or Diatomaceous Earth
Borax can be an effective, natural remedy for carpenter ants. Mix borax with sugar to attract the ants, or apply diatomaceous earth around baseboards and suspected entry points. Will borax kill carpenter ants? The answer is yes, but it works best as part of a holistic pest control strategy.
Tips For Finding The Nest
To find a carpenter ant nest, follow foraging ants back to their origin point. Look for areas with high moisture or listen for rustling sounds inside walls. These noises, often most noticeable at night, can point to nesting activity in wall voids or ceilings.
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How To Kill A Carpenter Ant Nest
When you’re past the prevention stage, you’ll need to take more targeted action for killing carpenter ants to avoid structural damage.
Drilling And Treating Wall Voids
If you’ve determined a nest is inside your wall, drilling small holes and injecting insecticidal dust is often the best way to kill carpenter ants in that space. This method allows the treatment to reach deep inside the colony where surface sprays can’t always reach.
When Direct Nest Access Is Necessary
In some cases, especially for severe infestations, you may need to physically access the nest by opening walls or removing damaged wood. If you’re wondering how to get rid of carpenter ants in these hard to reach areas or you need advice on how to treat for carpenter ants and termites in shared nesting zones, you’d be better off calling in professionals with the training and expertise to safely remove the problem ants.
Long-Term Prevention Strategies
Prevention is key to stopping carpenter ants before they start causing trouble. Knowing how to stop carpenter ants often comes down to cutting off their access to food, water, and shelter. Also, think about creating an environment that deters pests:
- Eliminate moisture sources: Repair leaky pipes, fix roof or foundation leaks, and ensure good ventilation in crawl spaces and attics.
- Seal entry points and gaps: Use caulk or weather stripping to seal cracks around doors, windows, and utility pipes.
- Remove rotting wood around your home: Get rid of old stumps, dead trees, or unused firewood. These are all potential nesting sites.
When To Call A Professional
If your DIY efforts haven’t solved the problem, or if you suspect a large infestation, it’s time to call the pros. At Florida Pest Control, we specialize in carpenter ant removal, even in the toughest scenarios. We know how to treat carpenter ants for the best results all year round.
Our technicians use advanced inspection tools to identify hidden nests and apply targeted treatments that are safe, effective, and long-lasting. If you’re wondering how to eliminate carpenter ants for good, professional help is often the answer.
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The fastest method is a combination of baiting and professional nest treatment. DIY can work, but a pest control expert can produce faster results for longer.
Look for frass, follow ant trails, and listen for faint rustling inside walls, especially at night.
Yes. While slower than termites, over time carpenter ants can cause significant structural damage, especially in moisture-damaged wood.