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Home / Ants / Carpenter Ant
Carpenter Ant Infestation
Although carpenter ants do not intentionally destroy wooden structures, they are capable of damaging any wood within which they nest. Carpenter ant infestation can become severe when left untreated, and in some cases, a colony of carpenter ants can develop satellite nests. In order to control an infestation, it is important to identify carpenter ants and their nests.
The most obvious sign of carpenter ant infestation is the presence of workers inside a building or home. However, the presence of ants is not conclusive evidence that a carpenter ant colony has established their nest within a structure. Carpenter ants forage for food within great distances of their nests.
Carpenter ants rarely nest in dry wood. Indoor infestations can be tracked by points of entry such as attic vents, foundations, cracks, electric wires, pipes and telephone lines. Carpenter ants prefer to nest in structural lumber such as wall voids, hollow doors, windows and foam panels. Carpenter ants typically seek wood that has been softened by moisture, decay or other insects.
When carpenter ant infestation is severe, piles of sawdust can usually be found beneath wooden items. Carpenter ants burrow into wood to create their nests, and an infestation can also be identified by faint rustling noises inside of woodwork or walls. Furthermore, when large winged ants emerge from ceilings, walls and other hidden crevices, an infestation is almost certain.
An infestation of carpenter ants can be distinguished from a termite infestation by examining the wood where they have made their nest: smooth walls and a lack of dirt or mud signify carpenter ants, as they clean the galleries of their nests. Other common signs of carpenter ant infestation include the presence of shavings, debris, dead insects and other debris outside of nest openings. Piles of frass are typically located around windowsills and spider webs.
Carpenter Ant Identification: How to Identify a Carpenter Ant
What Does a Carpenter Ant Look Like?
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