Carpenter Ants

What Are the Signs of Carpenter Ants?

You may have a carpenter ant issue if you notice:

- Large black or reddish ants inside your home

- Small piles of sawdust-like material (called frass) near baseboards, windows, or doors

- Faint rustling sounds inside walls

- Winged ants indoors, especially in spring

- Ant trails leading to moisture-damaged wood

Seeing just a few ants can sometimes indicate a much larger hidden colony.

Where Do Carpenter Ants Nest?

Carpenter ants are commonly found in:

- Moist or water-damaged wood

- Wall voids and insulation

- Window and door frames

- Attics, crawl spaces, and decks

Because colonies often remain hidden inside structures, proper inspection is key.

When Should I Call Spidexx?

If you’re seeing large ants indoors or noticing signs of wood damage, it’s important to act quickly. Carpenter ant colonies can expand if left untreated.

Spidexx technicians will identify activity areas, locate nesting sites, and implement a targeted treatment plan designed to manage the infestation effectively and responsibly.

Think you may have carpenter ants? Contact Spidexx today to schedule your inspection or request a no-obligation estimate.

What DIY Steps Can I Try?

You can start with:

- Sealing cracks and entry points around windows, doors, and foundations

- Repairing moisture issues and replacing water-damaged wood

- Trimming vegetation away from the home

- Cleaning up food debris and reducing attractants

- Using over-the-counter ant baits for light activity

These steps may help reduce surface activity, but carpenter ants often nest deep inside structural wood.

Do Home Remedies Work?

Natural deterrents like vinegar sprays or essential oils may disrupt ant trails, but they typically do not address the source of the infestation — the main colony and satellite nests.

When Should I Call Spidexx?

If ants keep returning, you’re seeing sawdust-like debris (frass), or you suspect nesting inside walls, professional treatment is recommended.

Spidexx technicians will locate nesting areas, identify contributing moisture conditions, and implement a targeted treatment plan designed to manage the infestation effectively and responsibly.

Seeing signs of carpenter ants? Contact Spidexx today to schedule your inspection or request a no-obligation estimate.

Home Remedies for Carpenter Ant

There are a few home remedies that you can try to get rid of carpenter ants:

• Borax. Borax is a natural insecticide that can kill carpenter ants. Mix one part borax with two parts powdered sugar. Sprinkle the mixture around the areas where you see carpenter ants. The ants will be attracted to the sugar, but the borax will kill them.
• Diatomaceous earth. Diatomaceous earth is a natural substance that can kill carpenter ants. It is made up of tiny, sharp particles that cut through the ants' exoskeletons, causing them to dehydrate and die. Sprinkle diatomaceous earth around the areas where you see carpenter ants.
• Vinegar. Vinegar is a natural cleaning agent that can also be used to kill carpenter ants. Mix equal parts vinegar and water. Spray the mixture around the areas where you see carpenter ants. The vinegar will kill the ants and deter them from coming back.

Natural Remedies for Carpenter Ant

There are a few natural remedies that you can try to keep carpenter ants away from your home:

• Essential oils. Essential oils, such as peppermint, tea tree, and lavender, can repel carpenter ants. Add a few drops of essential oil to a spray bottle filled with water. Spray the mixture around the perimeter of your home and in areas where you see carpenter ants.
• Bay leaves. Bay leaves have a strong odor that can repel carpenter ants. Place bay leaves in areas where you see carpenter ants.
• Garlic. Garlic has a strong odor that can repel carpenter ants. Crush a few cloves of garlic and place them in areas where you see carpenter ants.

It is important to note that home remedies may not be effective for all carpenter ant infestations. If you have a severe infestation, you may need to contact a pest control professional.

Dealing with a Carpenter Ant Infestation in Your Home

Carpenter ants are large, black ants that can cause significant damage to homes and businesses. They are known for their ability to excavate wood, which can lead to structural damage.

Signs of Carpenter Ant Infestation

There are a few signs that you may have a carpenter ant infestation:

• Ant trails. Carpenter ants often leave behind ant trails that lead back to their nest.
• Droppings. Carpenter ants leave behind small, pellet-like droppings.
• Eggs. Carpenter ants lay their eggs in small, papery nests.
• Smell. Carpenter ants have a distinctive odor that is similar to rotting wood.

Carpenter Ant Hiding Places

Carpenter ants are good at hiding, so it can be difficult to find their nests. However, there are a few places where you should look:

• Moist, damp areas. Carpenter ants are attracted to moisture, so they often build their nests in areas of the home that are damp or wet.
• Wooden structures. Carpenter ants are able to excavate wood, so they often build their nests in wooden structures.

If you think you may have a carpenter ant infestation, it is important to contact a pest control professional as soon as possible. Carpenter ants can cause significant damage to your home, so it is important to get rid of them before the damage becomes worse.

Carpenter Ant Pest Control Services

There are a number of pest control companies that offer carpenter ant control services. These companies will come to your home and assess the severity of the infestation. They will then use a variety of methods to kill the ants and prevent them from coming back.

Some of the methods that pest control companies use to kill carpenter ants include:

• Baits. Baits are a slow-acting method of killing carpenter ants. The ants will carry the bait back to the nest, where it will kill the other ants.
• Sprays. Sprays are a more immediate method of killing carpenter ants. However, they may not kill all of the ants, and they may not prevent them from coming back.
• Termite treatment. Carpenter ants are sometimes mistaken for termites, so pest control companies may use termite treatment to kill them. Termite treatment is a more effective method of killing carpenter ants, but it is also more expensive.

Carpenter Ant Extermination

Carpenter ant extermination is the process of completely eliminating a carpenter ant infestation. This is typically done by using a combination of methods, including baiting, spraying, and termite treatment.

If you have a carpenter ant infestation, it is important to choose a pest control company that has experience in exterminating carpenter ants. You should also get multiple quotes from different companies before making a decision.

Preventing Carpenter Ants

The best way to prevent carpenter ants is to make your home less attractive to them. Here are a few tips:

• Keep your home dry. Carpenter ants are attracted to moisture, so it is important to keep your home dry. This means fixing any leaks around pipes or in your foundation.
• Seal up any cracks or holes in your home. Carpenter ants can enter your home through small cracks or holes. Seal up any cracks or holes with caulk or weatherstripping.
• Remove any food sources. Carpenter ants are attracted to food, so it is important to remove any food sources from your home. This includes keeping food in airtight containers and sweeping up any crumbs.
• Plant insect-repelling plants. There are a number of plants that can repel carpenter ants. These include bay leaves, peppermint, and garlic.

What are carpenter ants?

Carpenter ants are large, black ants that are often found in homes and other buildings. They are wood-destroying insects, and they can cause significant damage to structures.

What are the signs of a carpenter ant infestation?

The most obvious sign of a carpenter ant infestation is the presence of the ants themselves. You may see them crawling around on your walls, floors, or furniture. You may also see their frass, which is a sawdust-like material that they produce as they tunnel through wood.

What are the dangers of a carpenter ant infestation?

Carpenter ants can cause significant damage to structures. They can also contaminate food and water sources, and they can spread diseases.

How to prevent carpenter ants from entering your home?

There are a number of things you can do to prevent carpenter ants from entering your home. These include:

• Seal up any cracks and crevices in the exterior of your home.
• Trim trees and shrubs away from your home.
• Keep your yard free of debris.
• Store firewood away from your home.

How to get rid of carpenter ants?

There are a number of ways to get rid of carpenter ants. One way is to use ant baits. You can also use insecticidal sprays or dusts. If you have a large infestation, you may need to contact a pest control professional.

Do they spread any disease?

There are no known diseases that carpenter ants can directly spread to humans. However, they can contaminate food and water sources, which can lead to food poisoning. Additionally, carpenter ants may carry bacteria on their bodies, which can cause infections if they bite or sting.

Here are some of the diseases that can be spread through contaminated food and water:

• Salmonella: This is a bacterial infection that can cause fever, diarrhea, and vomiting.
• E. coli: This is another bacterial infection that can cause similar symptoms to salmonella.
• Campylobacter: This is a bacterial infection that can cause diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever.
• Listeria: This is a bacterial infection that can cause fever, headache, and muscle aches. In pregnant women, listeria can cause miscarriage or stillbirth.

It is important to note that these diseases are not common, and they are usually only spread through contaminated food or water. If you are concerned about getting sick from carpenter ants, you can take steps to prevent them from entering your home.