How To Treat Carpenter Ants

How To Treat Carpenter Ants

Carpenter ants are a common sight in many homes. While they may look imposing and threatening, they’re actually fascinating and beneficial insects. Since they can be, however, very destructive and can cause a lot of damage, it’s important to understand how to treat carpenter ants properly.

Carpenter ants are among the most destructive of indoor ants. They consume inflammable materials, including book bindings, and in some locations they can damage wall voids and even structural timbers due to their burrowing habits. Their presence inside homes typically indicates the existence of one or more nest sites outside the home, so treatment is best directed at these infestations.

For whatever reason, carpenter ants make it into the house—maybe as guests, or maybe because they were looking for a new place to call home. The best way to prevent invasive carpenter ant nests is to seal your home and make sure there are no gaps or crevices where they can enter. If you already know you’ve got carpenter ants, it’s time to inform yourself on how to deal with these pests the right way.

How To Treat Carpenter Ants

Carpenter ants are a destructive pest that can eat through wood, causing structural damage to your home or business. They also carry the fungus that causes the deadly disease called white-nose syndrome, which has killed millions of bats in North America.

Carpenter ants are one of the most common types of ants found in the United States, and they can cause serious damage to your home. The best way to deal with them is by using an insecticide that has been approved by the Environmental Protection Agency for use on carpentry ants. It’s also important to follow all directions on the product label so that you apply it correctly.

The best way to prevent problems with carpenter ants is by eliminating standing water around your house. This will prevent them from laying eggs in places where they can grow into colonies. You should also make sure that there aren’t any cracks or holes in your home that could allow carpenter ants access inside. If you see signs outside your home that indicate there may be a colony inside, such as small piles of sawdust or feces near baseboards or other areas near where they might enter your home, then call an exterminator immediately before they become established inside and cause damage!

Carpenter ants are a destructive pest that can wreak havoc on your home. They tunnel through wood, so they’re usually found in the walls of your house or other wooden structures. They leave behind small piles of sawdust-like material that you may spot around their nests.

These ants aren’t dangerous, but they can cause serious damage if not treated right away. You’ll need to get rid of their nests, which can be tricky since they’re hidden inside your home’s walls. Here are some tips for preventing and treating carpenter ant infestations:

Preventing Carpenter Ants

You can prevent carpenter ants from taking up residence in your home by repairing damaged wood and sealing cracks around windowsills and doors. Keep an eye out for any signs of an infestation, such as small piles of sawdust or a trail leading from one area of your home to another. If you find any evidence that carpenter ants are living in your walls, call an exterminator immediately!

How To Treat Carpenter Ants

Like all ants, carpenter ant colonies start with scout ants that forage your home for the best places to eat or hang out. Then, their buddies (the “workers”) follow the trail once they’ve hit a good food source, building a nest nearby in your wall. If you’ve spotted a few stray carpenters, congrats, you’ve probably found these little explorers. Here’s what to do next:

Make a bait to find the nest. Pest experts advise setting out a bait for the ant to take back to the nest, so you can actually find the nest just by watching them. They’re attracted to sweets, so a little bit of jam or jelly can work. You can also mix equal parts sugar and baking soda, then place the mixture in a shallow dish. The sugar attracts the ants, but the baking soda will kill them naturally.

Eliminate scent trails. Carpenter ants rely on pheromone trails to find food sources and to travel. By cleaning surfaces where ants have traveled, you’ve destroyed this treasure map to your home. You can use essential oils like tea tree, lemon, orange, or cedarwood on a cotton ball to wipe down surfaces to interrupt these trails. Or, make a solution of one part dish soap to two parts water and pour into a spray bottle. (You can also use this to kill ants, after you’ve found their nest.) You could also use a 50/50 solution of white vinegar and water.

Destroy the nest. Once you’ve found the nest by following ants, by spotting “frass” near a wall, or can detect a faint rustling sound in the wall, you’ll need to get into the wall to destroy it. Terminix recommends drilling 1/8″ holes every six inches in the area where you suspect the nest might be. Then, use a bulb duster to “puff” boric acid through the holes. (The boric acid will kill the ants.) You might have to repeat treatments multiple times in order to destroy the nest.

When do I need to call in a pro to deal with the carpenter ants?

If this sounds like more work or more of a mess than you’re willing to make, then call in a professional. Even if you successfully get rid of the carpenter ant nest, there still might be more in your home. Call an exterminator to check that the nest is destroyed and to look for possible other nests. You should also call a pro if you haven’t been able to find the nest, but still see carpenter ants.

List Of How To Treat Carpenter Ants