Carpenter ants are more than just a nuisance, they’re a serious threat to your home’s structure. While they don’t eat wood like termites, they excavate it to build their nests, weakening beams, flooring, and other wooden structures over time. If you’ve spotted these large black ants in or around your property, it’s time to act fast. Below, we’ll explore how to get rid of carpenter ants, signs of an infestation, and effective strategies you can use to protect your home.
What Makes Carpenter Ants So Destructive?
Carpenter ants prefer damp or decaying wood, which makes homes with moisture problems prime targets. Once inside, they tunnel through wood to create nests and satellite colonies. Unlike termites, they don’t consume the wood, but the damage they cause can be just as significant.
You’ll often find them in areas like:
- Attics and crawl spaces
- Wall voids
- Door and window frames
- Around dishwashers, sinks, or bathrooms
Carpenter ants are especially active at night and may forage up to 100 yards from their nest for food. They’re known for their resilience, and getting rid of them completely requires a targeted approach.
How to Identify a Carpenter Ant Infestation
Early detection is key to avoiding extensive damage. Here are the most common signs you might have a carpenter ant problem:
Sawdust Trails (Frass)
Carpenter ants push out fine, sawdust-like material (called frass) as they tunnel through wood. You may find piles of it near wooden structures or baseboards.
Rustling Noises in Walls
In quiet environments, you may hear faint rustling as ants move through tunnels inside your walls.
Winged Ants Indoors
Swarmers winged carpenter ants are a strong sign of a mature colony. If you spot them indoors, it’s a clear sign there’s a nest nearby.
Hollow-Sounding Wood
Tapping on wooden beams or flooring and hearing a hollow sound could indicate internal damage caused by carpenter ants.
Proven Removal Methods That Work
Now that you know the warning signs, let’s look at how to get rid of carpenter ants using proven, effective methods.
1. Locate the Nest
The first step is identifying the location of the nest. Follow the ants to see where they’re coming from. Look near areas with moisture, such as under sinks, in the attic, or near windows. Finding the nest is crucial for applying any long-lasting solution.
2. Eliminate Moisture Sources
Carpenter ants are attracted to damp wood. Repair leaky pipes, roof leaks, or any water-damaged areas in your home. Consider using a dehumidifier in areas with poor ventilation, like basements or crawl spaces.
3. Use a Professional-Grade Carpenter Ant Killer
Once you’ve located the nest, use a targeted carpenter ant killer. There are gel baits, dusts, and non-repellent insecticides designed specifically for carpenter ants. Dust insecticides can be applied inside wall voids, while non-repellent sprays create invisible barriers that ants unknowingly walk through and carry back to the colony.
Keep in mind that over-the-counter products might not eliminate the entire colony, especially satellite nests hidden in walls or outdoor areas. A professional pest control Woodland Hills CA service is often the most effective route.
4. Trim Trees and Remove Wood Debris
Carpenter ants often use branches and vines as bridges to enter your home. Trim back any vegetation touching your roof or walls. Remove logs, stumps, and woodpiles near the home’s foundation, which can serve as nesting sites.
5. Seal Entry Points
Inspect your home for small cracks or openings where ants might enter. Seal gaps around doors, windows, utility lines, and foundation vents using silicone caulk or expandable foam.
6. Schedule a Professional Inspection
If the infestation persists or you’re unsure where the ants are nesting, it’s time to contact a trusted expert in ant control near me. A trained technician can identify nesting locations, apply commercial-grade treatments, and provide long-term prevention strategies tailored to your home.
Prevention Tips to Keep Carpenter Ants Out
After removal, take proactive steps to keep these pests away:
- Store firewood at least 20 feet from your home.
- Clean up food spills and keep food sealed in airtight containers.
- Maintain your landscaping and gutters to avoid excess moisture.
- Schedule routine pest inspections, especially if you’ve had problems in the past.
Why DIY Isn’t Always Enough
Carpenter ant infestations are often deeper and more complex than they seem. Satellite colonies can continue to grow even if the main nest is treated. DIY treatments may reduce visible activity temporarily but usually fail to eliminate the root problem. That’s why it’s important to rely on professionals who specialize in pest control Woodland Hills services for comprehensive solutions.
About Facility Pest Control
At Facility Pest Control, we provide reliable, family-safe pest management solutions for residents and businesses in Woodland Hills, CA and surrounding areas. As a local and family-owned business, we’re dedicated to offering specialized attention that larger companies simply can’t match.
Our General Pest Control Services cover ants, spiders, roaches, earwigs, crickets, and wasps, with additional treatment options available for scorpions, fleas, ticks, bees, hornets, and more. We offer three flexible service plans monthly, bi-monthly, and hybrid to keep your home pest-free year-round.
Our exterior treatments include yard granules, de-webbing, wall flush dusting, and perimeter spraying, while interior treatments target problem areas like kitchens, attics, and garages. We also offer mosquito control services, including fogging, spraying, and In2Care mosquito buckets for long-term prevention.
Facility Pest Control uses family- and pet-safe organic products and offers a 10% discount to healthcare workers, military personnel, first responders, teachers, and seniors. Every service comes with a 30-day satisfaction guarantee.
