Carpenter Ants – Headache or Nightmare?

Getting to Know Carpenter Ants

The black Carpenter ant, Camponotus Pennsylvanicus, is the most common species of Carpenter ant in the Eastern United States. Workers range in size from ¼ to ½ inch ( 6-13 mm) or more in length. Carpenter Ants farm aphids and other honeydew secreting insects, lapping the honeydew juices from them.

Could You Have Carpenter Ants?

A common sign of Carpenter ant infestation is the sight of sawdust falling from window or door frames. As these ants tunnel into wood to nest, they push out the sawdust; they do not digest wood as termites do. Additionally, Carpenter ants may be heard making a crackling noise in walls when the house is quiet. This noise is generated by their mandibles (jaws) chewing on wood. Tapping the wall usually increases the noise.

Where Carpenter Ants Frequent

Infestation Areas Inside

In addition to window and door frames, common infestation areas within a building include:

Sills (wooden sill plates for stud walls)
Hollow-core doors
Inside dishwashers for moisture
Under toilets
Above and/or behind insulation
In entry door encasements
In sliding window shoe and door encasements
Under wall-to-wall carpets, along the tack strips
In garage door jambs
Under siding
Behind the front entrance
Along eaves and gutters and rake boards
Between the flashing and fireplace
In skylight encasements

Where Carpenter Ants Frequent

Infestation Areas Outside

Common infestation areas outside a building include:

In or under entrance columns
In ground nests
In septic leach fields
In railroad or landscape ties
In and around wood piles
In tree stumps
In or around porches and decks
In hollow porch columns
In telephone poles. They can then travel along the wires to enter the building.
In wood chips (mulch around the house)
In trees. Suspending a dog line between a tree and a house can provide entry to the house – just like a telephone wire.

The Making of a Colony

The colony usually starts with one queen, which has either nested outside close to the house or, possibly, inside the house, and usually has bored a tunnel in wood where she will lay her eggs.

Moisture and damp wood provide Carpenter ants ideal nesting conditions.

Mature Carpenter ant colonies can produce as many as 2,000 or more ants.

Multiple colonies within a radius of 50 yards of homes are common.

Homeowner Control Tips

You can help control carpenter ants around your home by using these preventative measures:

Reduce the overall amount and volume of garden mulch used
Replace landscape ties that have rotted
Keep tree limbs cut away from the house
Repair leaks promptly
Use crushed stone around the foundation

Carpenter Ant Eradication

Baits are a Good Option

Controlling Carpenter ants is important, as the damage they cause can be costly and extensive.

Advances made in the last several years have included the introduction of Carpenter ant baits. These controlled substances are meant to be applied to cracks and crevices or placed in wall voids. The baits are very effective when placed around nesting carpenter ants. The ants take the bait back to the nest, regurgitate, and feed the bait to others.

Additional control options may be used along with baits to achieve the desired level of control. There are times when the homeowner may need to make repairs or follow recommendations in order to aid long term control.

Dura Tech Can Help

If you're in my service area, you'll want to set up an appointment to get your carpenter ant problem under control right away!

Find out if you are in Dura Tech's service area
Read more about ants
Find out about Odorous House ants

Quarterly Residential Service

Peace of Mind All Year Round

Did you know pests can cause health concerns for your family and damage concerns for your home year round?

Protect yourself, your family and your home from disease and wood-destroying insects with a comprehensive, single-family home. quarterly pest control service plan from Dura Tech. You'll get a service agreement that's customized to meet your specific needs.

If you're getting bugged by carpenter ants or other pests, check my service area and call me today!

NOTE: While most pest control services can be quoted FREE over the phone, there is a $40 service charge for an in-person inspection and estimate, which you get back if you hire me to do the work. All termite problems require an in-person inspection. Dura Tech does not conduct wood destroying insect inspections as required by HUD, VA and conventional lenders for the transfer or sale of real estate.

Find out more about quarterly residential service

Special Offer

Save on Year-Round Pest Control

NEW CUSTOMERS CAN GET $40 OFF a Quarterly Residential Pest Management Service.

Not valid with any other offer
One coupon per customer
You must present the coupon to receive the discount

Get full offer details and print the coupon