Carpenter ants are one of the most persistent and destructive household pests, especially in areas with wooden structures. Unlike termites, carpenter ants don’t eat wood but they do excavate it to build their nests. If you’ve tried to deal with them before, only to find them returning weeks or months later, you’re not alone.
In this article, we’ll explore why carpenter ants keep coming back, the signs of an infestation, and most importantly, how to get rid of carpenter ants for good. Whether you’re dealing with an active problem or want to prevent one, understanding their habits is key to permanent control.
What Are Carpenter Ants?
Carpenter ants are large ants, often black or red and black, ranging from 1/4 to 1/2 inch in length. They’re most commonly found in moist or decaying wood, but they can also nest in dry wood and insulation. Unlike other ants that build nests in soil or under stones, carpenter ants carve tunnels inside wood to create their colonies.
Why Carpenter Ants Keep Coming Back
If you’ve eliminated a few ants but keep seeing more, there’s a reason for that. Carpenter ants are persistent because:
1. You Didn’t Find the Parent Nest
Carpenter ants often establish satellite colonies apart from the main nest. Even if you eliminate one nest, the others may remain active. These colonies work together, and missing even one can lead to reinfestation.
2. There’s a Constant Moisture Source
Carpenter ants are highly attracted to moisture-damaged wood. Leaky roofs, plumbing problems, or improperly sealed windows and doors create ideal conditions for infestation. As long as moisture is present, they’ll keep coming back.
3. Food Sources Are Unaddressed
These ants forage for proteins and sugary substances, both indoors and outdoors. Pet food, crumbs, garbage cans, or outdoor fruit trees can draw them in and once they find a steady supply, they rarely leave willingly.
4. DIY Methods May Not Reach Deep Nesting Areas
Sprays and bait traps might kill visible ants, but carpenter ant colonies can be buried deep within your walls or foundation. Without a comprehensive treatment plan, you’ll only deal with the symptoms, not the root cause.
Signs You Have a Carpenter Ant Infestation
Before you can stop them, you need to be sure they’re the culprit. Here are signs that carpenter ants may have moved into your home:
- Sawdust-like material (frass) near baseboards, windowsills, or walls
- Faint rustling noises inside walls, especially at night
- Large black ants crawling in and out of wood structures
- Winged ants inside your home (especially in spring), indicating a mature colony
- Soft or damaged wood, especially in damp areas like bathrooms, attics, or basements
If you’ve spotted any of these indicators, it’s time to consider reaching out to a professional exterminator Beverly Hills CA or wherever you’re located.
How to Get Rid of Carpenter Ants for Good
1. Locate the Nest
Inspection is critical. Carpenter ants are most active at night, so use a flashlight to follow foraging ants back to their colony. Check areas with moisture damage like kitchens, bathrooms, and crawl spaces.
2. Eliminate Moisture Sources
Fix leaky faucets, roofs, or plumbing immediately. Use dehumidifiers in damp spaces and ensure proper ventilation in bathrooms and attics to keep wood dry.
3. Seal Entry Points
Use caulk or weather-stripping to seal gaps around doors, windows, vents, and utility lines. This not only keeps ants out but also other pests.
4. Trim Vegetation Around Your Home
Carpenter ants often enter homes via branches or shrubs that touch exterior walls. Trim plants at least 1-2 feet away from your house to remove these pathways.
5. Use Targeted Treatments
Baiting systems and dust insecticides can help, but these must be strategically placed and applied deep inside voids or structural wood where ants are nesting.
If you’ve tried DIY methods and the ants are still coming back, it’s time to contact a licensed pest control provider offering carpenter ant killer services for safe and thorough eradication.
Preventing Future Infestations
After you’ve gotten rid of carpenter ants, prevention is key:
- Regularly inspect wood structures for damage or moisture
- Clean up food crumbs and spills promptly
- Store food in sealed containers
- Keep firewood and lumber away from the exterior walls of your home
- Schedule routine inspections with a pest control Beverly Hills professional
These preventive steps create an environment that’s unattractive to ants and other pests, protecting your home long-term.
Why Professional Help Matters
Carpenter ants can cause serious structural damage over time. What may begin as a few ants on the counter can quickly grow into a full-blown infestation if not handled properly. Professionals have the tools, products, and training to find hidden colonies and eliminate them completely.
Hiring a local expert like an ant control near me specialist ensures the infestation is treated at the source, not just on the surface.
About Facility Pest Control
Facility Pest Control is a trusted family-owned company based in Southern California, proudly serving Beverly Hills and nearby areas. Our team is committed to offering Specialized Attention Big Business Can’t Give, with customized solutions tailored to each client’s needs.
We offer a range of general pest control services, including monthly, hybrid, and bi-monthly plans designed to keep your home pest-free year-round. Our treatment covers ants, earwigs, spiders, crickets, roaches, and wasps with optional services for more advanced pests like scorpions, fleas, ticks, and bees.
Our Exterior Services Include:
- De-webbing and removal of wasp nests
- Yard treatments with encapsulated granules
- Backpack spraying for outdoor pest protection
- Wall flush dusting and full-perimeter sprays
Interior Services Include:
- Treatment of garages, attics, and wall voids
- Application under sinks, behind toilets, and around appliances
- Full baseboard protection
- Sealing of entry points like doors and windows
We use family- and pet-safe organic products for every treatment and provide a 30-day satisfaction guarantee. Facility Pest Control also offers mosquito services, including fogging, barrier sprays, and In2Care mosquito buckets.
