Carpenter Ant Control and Carpenter Ant Extermination

A common misconception with carpenter ants is that they eat wood; however, they actually only reside in wood. Carpenter ants will eat “normal” ant food such as: sweets, crumbs, and other insects. They are often mistaken for termites since not only do they reside in rotten logs outdoors, but often in wooden human-made structures. Occasionally, carpenter ants are seen with wings. One of the main differences you can find between ants and termites are the leftovers they leave behind them. Carpenter Ants will leave a “sawdust” like reside, while termites will leave tiny pellets. You can often find traces of carpenter ants during the night, as they are nocturnal creatures.

If you are able to locate and eradicate their nest, you may be able to easily solve your problem before it gets out of control. If you have noticeable wood rot, this can be a haven for carpenter ants as they prefer moist wood to dry. As an added precaution for your home, you can reduce moisture in your home by making sure that all holes are repaired to prevent leaks and increase the ventilation in attic and crawl spaces to keep wood dry. When not in your home, carpenter ants make homes out of wood piles, so make sure that any excess wood is kept away from the home so that they aren’t tempted to investigate. If you have any dead wood in your yard naturally, like decaying stumps or logs, it is important to get rid of them as they are perfect nesting grounds for carpenter ants.

As with most ants, the best way to get rid of a carpenter ant problem is to use poisonous bait on them. They will carry the bait they find back to the colony, giving you a better chance of eliminating more than just worker ants. You can try a lower grade pesticide if the problem does not go away, however most carpenter ants can be deterred by removing problem wood and hiding food sources from them.