Carpenter ants are a particular species of ant. They typically live in wooded, damp places and use wood to build tunnels and make nests.
Although they’re usually found outside, carpenter ants can also live in your home. They’re attracted to anything made of wood, particularly if it is damp or rotten.
Carpenter ants will dig into the wooden bits of your house, like floors, beams and window sills. If left alone, they can seriously damage your home.
If you are concerned about carpenter ants and how to deal with them, we’re here to help.
Keep reading to learn how to work out if you have carpenter ants in your home and what to do about them.
How do I know if I have carpenter ants?
There are numerous indicators that suggest you may have carpenter ants in your home. These include:
- Little piles of sawdust, known as frass
- Ant body parts, like legs and wings
- Little tunnels and general wood damage
- Quiet, crunching noises
You might not see or hear all of these signs if you have carpenter ants, but they are the most common indicators. And you might see the ants themselves of course, although they’re usually buried in wood.
How do I get rid of carpenter ants?
Once you’ve worked out that your home has carpenter ants, there are 3 simple steps you can take.
1. Work out where they’re nesting. To do this, look for the ants or trails of sawdust and follow them. It’s easiest to do this at night, as this is when carpenter ants are most active.
2. Get rid of the rotten wood that the ants have damaged. You may need to hire a carpenter to do any repair work.
3. Use a treatment like ant bait and powder to get rid of the infestation. You might need to get tips from a carpenter ant control specialist in advance.
How can I avoid a carpenter ant infestation?
There are several small things that you can do to avert a carpenter ant infestation. These include:
- Checking your property for damp or rotten wood often. If you uncover any, get rid of it as soon as you can
- Cutting back trees and branches that touch your home
- Keeping food covered and stored in sealed containers
- Cleaning up any food or drink spillages as quickly as you can
So hopefully now you need to know a bit more about carpenter ants, how to tell if you have an infestation and what to do about it if you do.
If you have an infestation that you don’t know how to deal with, don’t worry. Fill in our online form and we’ll connect you with up to 4 local pest control professionals.