Ok, I admit it! I have personally battled these bugs in my own house! Yes, the guy with a pest control website still has pest problems… Keep reading to find out what happened… and how to identify and kill carpenter ants.
Carpenter ants, technically known as Formica ligniperda, belong to a diverse genus of ants with around one thousand identified species. These ants are found throughout Asia, the Americas, Europe, and other parts of the world, damage wooden structures and building materials.
Some Key Facts About Carpenter Ants:
Next you will learn what makes Carpenter Ants different from other ants. This will actually help you find the source of the problem.
Carpenter ants do not actually eat wood, unlike termites. Instead, they create galleries and tunnels within wood for their nests and shelter. They typically reside in decaying wooden structures.
Carpenter ants range in size from 3 to 15 millimeters in body length, and can vary greatly in color – from black and brown to red. The winged ants are the queens, responsible for reproducing and growing the colony.
Signs of Carpenter Ants in the Home:
Carpenter ants are sometimes confused with termites, as both can damage wooden structures. However, the key difference is that termites consume wood for food, leaving behind mud and soil debris. Carpenter ants simply tunnel through the wood, leaving behind piles of wood shavings or “sawdust” as evidence of their presence.
Seeing winged carpenter ants inside the home is a clear sign of an established colony, as the winged ants are the reproducing queens being sent out to make new colonies. Unfortunately, I have personal experience with this annoying surprise… On a hot summer day, all of a sudden a thousand flying ants plastered to your windows trying to get out!
Identifying carpenter ants can be tricky, as their small size (under an inch) and varied coloring makes them hard to distinguish. Their black color and small stature are the primary identifying features. There are very few other winged ants invading homes in North America. Think you have a different ant invading? Read the ultimate guide here.
Controlling Carpenter Ants:
Now let’s talk about what to do about the problem. There are both physical and chemical methods for controlling carpenter ant infestations: sealing entry points, reducing moisture, elevating wood structures off the ground, and removing wooden structures or wood piles from around the home can help prevent and eliminate colonies.
Reducing moisture in your home can be a big deal. Its best to do some real investigative work and discuss this matter with an experienced local contractor. You might find long standing issues like a plumbing leaks, roof leaks, condensation issues, improper flashing, etc.
Chemical methods include using ant traps with boric acid or specially formulated carpenter ant sprays and baits (SPI Recommended Links Below). The internet will tell you that vinegar can also act as a natural repellent but I personally wouldn’t waste my time repelling these ants – they only want one thing – wet wood. Professionally applied synthetic insecticides may also be effective for severe infestations. Here is a link where you can get pro level supplies to DIY including safety gear, sprayers, and pro chemicals.
SPI Product Recommendations to kill Carpenter Ants and Prevent their return:
Consider using the links below to support this site. I may earn a commission at no cost to you.
- Indoor Spray
- Outdoor Spray
- Natural Boric Acid option (indoor, dry areas only – can be preventative for many pests)
- Pro Level Treatment and Prevention: This bait goes in little trays, but trust me, it’s worth the effort.
- Pro Level (Serious DIYer Option – seriously. Good prices and bulk shipping)
Conclusion:
The key is to identify and address the root causes allowing the carpenter ants to establish themselves in the first place. With the right prevention and treatment measures, these wood-damaging pests can be effectively managed. For my own house, after spraying chemicals over the whole area, I identified the damp infested wood that was caused by a previous homeowner installing rain flashing backwards. I then tore it all out and replaced it. Was it a big job? Yes. But was it worth it? Yes.
