Carpenter ants are among the most destructive household pests, often causing significant structural damage if left untreated. Unlike termites, carpenter ants don’t eat wood—they excavate it to build their nests. This behavior can lead to weakened wood structures over time, posing risks to your home’s integrity. Understanding the signs of carpenter ants in house is essential for early detection and effective treatment.
What Are Carpenter Ants?
Carpenter ants are large, typically black or reddish ants that are commonly found in moist or decaying wood. While they live outdoors in trees and logs, they can easily find their way into homes, especially where moisture issues are present. Inside, they hollow out wood to establish nests and satellite colonies.
Common Signs of Carpenter Ants in the House
1. Sawdust-Like Shavings (Frass)
One of the most telltale signs of a carpenter ant infestation is the presence of small piles of wood shavings, also known as frass. Unlike termites, which consume wood, carpenter ants remove it, leaving behind fine debris that resembles sawdust. You might find frass beneath baseboards, in crawlspaces, or near small holes in wood surfaces.
2. Rustling Noises Inside Walls
If the infestation is advanced, you might hear faint rustling or scratching noises inside walls, especially at night when the ants are more active. This sound typically comes from worker ants moving through their tunnels inside the wood.
3. Winged Ants Indoors
The appearance of winged ants, or swarmers, inside your home is another major red flag. These reproductive ants leave the colony to mate and start new colonies. If you see swarmers inside, it’s likely there’s a nest already in the structure. Don’t confuse these with termite swarmers—carpenter ants have elbowed antennae, a thin waist, and unequal wing lengths.
4. Ant Trails
While carpenter ants are often nocturnal, you may spot them trailing through your home, especially near moisture-rich areas like kitchens and bathrooms. These ants travel long distances between food sources and their nest, so if you see a line of ants, follow their path. It could lead you to a potential nesting site.
5. Hollow-Sounding Wood
Tap on wooden structures around your home. If they sound hollow or feel soft when pressed, it might indicate that ants have hollowed them out from the inside. This is especially common around window sills, door frames, and baseboards.
6. Wall Damage or Bubbling Paint
Moisture issues and pest damage often go hand-in-hand. Carpenter ants are attracted to damp wood, and if they’re nesting inside your walls, you might notice warping, bulging, or bubbling paint. These signs are often mistaken for water damage, but pests could be the root cause.
Do Carpenter Ants Bite?
A common question homeowners ask is, do carpenter ants bite? Yes, they can bite if they feel threatened. While their bites aren’t venomous or particularly dangerous to humans, they can be painful due to their strong jaws. Occasionally, they release formic acid into the bite wound, causing a slight burning sensation. Thankfully, bites are rare and usually happen only when the nest is disturbed.
How Carpenter Ants Enter the Home
Carpenter ants often find entry points through cracks in the foundation, openings around windows and doors, or utility lines. Once inside, they seek out moist, decaying wood to build their nests. Homes with plumbing leaks, poor ventilation, or previous water damage are particularly vulnerable.
Why Early Detection Matters
The longer carpenter ants remain undetected, the more damage they can cause. While they don’t eat wood like termites, their nesting habits can still weaken the structural integrity of your home. Addressing an infestation early can save you from costly repairs and more invasive pest control treatments later on.
If you live in areas where these pests are common, especially places like Beverly Hills, regular inspections and preventative treatments are key. Working with a licensed professional offering pest control Beverly Hills services ensures your home remains protected year-round.
Preventing Carpenter Ant Infestations
While professional pest control is often required to eliminate carpenter ant nests, you can reduce your risk of infestation by following these steps:
Eliminate Moisture Problems
Carpenter ants are drawn to damp wood. Repair leaks, ensure proper drainage, and use dehumidifiers in areas prone to moisture buildup like basements and crawl spaces.
Store Firewood Away from Your Home
If you store firewood, keep it elevated and at least 20 feet away from your home’s exterior. Carpenter ants often nest in woodpiles and can easily migrate into your house.
Seal Entry Points
Inspect your home’s exterior for cracks, holes, and gaps. Seal any potential entryways, especially around windows, doors, and plumbing lines.
Trim Trees and Shrubs
Carpenter ants often use tree branches as bridges to access your home. Keep vegetation trimmed and away from your siding or roofline.
Regular Inspections
Periodic pest inspections are one of the most effective ways to detect an infestation early. Look for signs of carpenter ants around attics, basements, garages, and other less-used spaces.
What to Do If You Suspect an Infestation
If you notice any signs of carpenter ants in house, it’s best to contact a pest control professional right away. DIY solutions are often ineffective against carpenter ants because their nests can be deeply hidden in walls, floors, or ceilings. A professional has the tools and experience to locate and treat the infestation at its source.
About Facility Pest Control
At Facility Pest Control, we understand how stressful a pest infestation can be. That’s why we offer tailored solutions to protect your home or business from carpenter ants and other common pests. Based in the Sherman Oaks area, we serve clients throughout Los Angeles County, including pest control Beverly Hills CA and surrounding cities.
Our general pest control services include monthly, hybrid, and bi-monthly plans designed to keep your property pest-free all year round. From ants and spiders to roaches and wasps, our treatments are thorough, effective, and family-safe. We also offer advanced mosquito control services, including fogging and In2Care bucket systems to keep your outdoor spaces comfortable.
