Carpenter ants are a specific species of ant. They usually live in wooded, moist areas and use wood to build tunnels and make nests.
Although they live mostly outside, carpenter ants can turn up in your home. They’re attracted to anything wooden, particularly if it’s damp or rotten.
Carpenter ants will burrow into the wooden parts of your house, like beams, floors and window sills. If left undisturbed, they can do serious damage to your property.
If you’re worried about carpenter ants and how to deal with them, we’re here to help.
Read on to find out how to work out if you have carpenter ants in your home and what to do about them.
How do I know if I have carpenter ants?
There are several signs that indicate you may have carpenter ants in your home. These include:
- Small piles of sawdust, known as frass
- Ant body parts, like wings and legs
- Small tunnels and general wood damage
- Quiet, crunching noises
You may not see or hear all of these signs if you have carpenter ants, but they are the most common indicators. And you may see the ants themselves of course, although they’re usually buried in wood.
How do I get rid of carpenter ants?
Once you’ve established that your home has carpenter ants, there are 3 easy steps you can follow.
1. Find out where they’re nesting. To do this, look for the ants or trails of sawdust and follow them. It’s easiest to do this at night, as carpenter ants are nocturnal.
2. Remove the areas of rotten wood that the ants have damaged. You may need to hire a carpenter to repair any damaged areas.
3. Use a treatment like ant bait and powder to get rid of the infestation. You may need to get advice from a carpenter ant control specialist before you do this.
How can I prevent a carpenter ant infestation?
There are lots of little things that you can do to prevent a carpenter ant infestation. These include:
- Checking your home for damp or rotten wood regularly. If you find any, get rid of it as soon as possible
- Trimming back trees and branches that touch your property
- Keeping food covered and stored in sealed containers
- Cleaning up any food or drink spillages as soon as you can
So hopefully now you should know a bit more about carpenter ants, how to tell if you have an infestation and what to do about it if you do.
If you have an infestation that you don’t know how to deal with, don’t panic. Fill in our online form and we’ll put you in touch with up to 4 professional pest control companies in your local area.