Carpenter Ants in Your Home: 6 Signs to Watch Out For

Carpenter ants are more than a common household pest—they can cause significant structural damage to wooden areas in your home.

These ants don’t eat wood like termites but hollow it out to create nests, which can lead to serious problems if left unchecked. Recognizing the signs of carpenter ants early can save homeowners time, money, and frustration.

Here’s what to look for and how to address a carpenter ant infestation.

Key Takeaways

• Spotting small piles of sawdust or frass near wooden structures is a common sign of carpenter ants at work.
• Ant damage looks like smooth, hollowed-out wood tunnels, often found in crawl spaces or water-damaged areas.
• Hearing rustling sounds in walls or seeing winged swarmers near windows could mean you have a carpenter ant problem.
• A professional pest control company can locate nests, eliminate carpenter ants, and protect your home from future infestations.

1. Piles of Sawdust or Frass Piles

Carpenter ants push out wood shavings and frass (a mixture of sawdust and waste), leaving small piles near kick-out holes. Check areas around baseboards, crevices, or window sills for these telltale signs.

2. Damaged Wood

Carpenter ant damage often appears as hollow, smooth tunnels inside wooden structures. Unlike termite damage, which looks rough and filled with mud, carpenter ants create clean galleries.

Look for damaged wood around crawl spaces, baseboards, or water-damaged areas.

3. Rustling Sounds in Walls

Carpenter ants are active inside walls and wooden structures, particularly at night. You might hear faint rustling noises or scratching, which could indicate the movement of worker ants within wall voids.

4. Swarmers

Winged ants, known as swarmers, emerge to mate and establish new nests. Spotting these large black ants with wings near entry points, such as window sills or crevices, strongly indicates an infestation.

5. Ant Trails Indoors and Outdoors

Carpenter ants create pheromone trails when foraging for food. Look for lines of ants along walls, countertops, or around food sources. Outdoors, you might find trails leading from wooden structures, tree stumps, or woodpiles.

6. Visible Entry Points in Wooden Areas

Carpenter ants often gain access to homes through cracks, wall voids, or water-damaged wood. Inspect your home’s foundation, window sills, and crawl spaces for small openings or signs of movement.

How to Prevent Carpenter Ants in Your Home

Preventing carpenter ants starts with eliminating their access and preferred conditions:

• Seal Entry Points: Use caulk to close gaps around doors, windows, and foundations to prevent ants from entering.
• Address Moisture Issues: Repair leaks in pipes and roofs. Remove water-damaged wood, as it’s a favorite nesting site for carpenter ants.
• Eliminate Food Sources: Store food in sealed containers and keep kitchen surfaces clean to deter ants.
• Trim Vegetation and Remove Woodpiles: Carpenter ants often use tree stumps, woodpiles, and overgrown branches as a highway to your home. Keep these well-maintained and away from your house.

Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Warning Signs

Ignoring a carpenter ant problem can lead to significant damage.

These pests hollow out wooden structures to build their nests, which weakens the integrity of beams, floorboards, and other wooden areas. A carpenter ant colony, particularly when it forms satellite nests, can result in costly repairs over time.

When to Call a Professional Pest Control Company

While DIY measures can be effective for prevention, a carpenter ant infestation often requires professional intervention.

A pest control company can thoroughly inspect your home, locate the carpenter ant nest, and identify satellite nests or entry points. They will then use effective, pet-safe treatments to get rid of carpenter ants and prevent further issues.

At Native Pest Management, we specialize in carpenter ant control and offer services tailored to South Florida homeowners. From addressing significant damage caused by carpenter ants to preventing future infestations, our team has you covered.

Contact us today to schedule a thorough inspection and learn how we can protect your home from pests like carpenter ants.