Have you ever spotted large, dark ants making their way across your kitchen or patio? While they may look like ordinary ants, carpenter ants could be trying to turn your house into their own construction site. Instead of simply foraging for crumbs, these ants are attracted to the wooden parts of your home. They use wood to carve out nests and expand their colony. Read on to learn more about carpenter ant detection and treatment options.
What Are Carpenter Ants?
Carpenter ants are among the biggest ant species that may invade homes during any season, usually appearing black, reddish-brown, or even a mix of both. Their name comes from the way they construct nests: by tunneling through wood with strong jaws. Unlike termites, carpenter ants do not consume wood for food; rather, they break it apart to create passageways and chambers. As these networks grow, the wooden elements in your home can weaken, sometimes leading to expensive repairs if ignored.
These ants often prefer wood that has become damp, making homes with leaks or moisture problems a bigger target. You’re most likely to encounter nests in places like window frames, attic beams, decks, and other areas where moisture lingers. In many cases, carpenter ants establish a main colony outdoors. Still, they may then send out satellite colonies to nearby houses for food and shelter.
Signs of a Carpenter Ant Infestation
It’s important to spot signs of carpenter ants early. One clue is small piles of coarse particles that look like sawdust. This mess, known as frass, is actually the debris ants discard while building their galleries, including wood fragments and insect parts.
You may also notice faint crackling or rustling noises coming from inside your walls or wooden fixtures. This will likely be most commonly at night when ants are active. Seeing solitary ants wandering indoors means there’s likely a nest nearby. Swarms of winged ants (called alates) appearing inside are a warning that an established colony is present and possibly expanding.
Why Professional Help is Essential
Tackling a carpenter ant infestation can be challenging because these pests often set up several nests in hidden locations. Eliminating ants you see on the surface won’t remove the problem at its source, and untreated colonies can quickly return. Pest control professionals have the experience and tools needed to locate, identify, and clear out all nesting sites—protecting both your home’s structure and your peace of mind.
At Allison Pest Control, we specialize in finding and removing carpenter ant infestations efficiently and safely. If you think you have an issue with these industrious insects, don’t wait—let trusted professionals help you safeguard your property for the long term. Contact us today to protect your home!
