Carpenter ants are a common household pest that can cause significant damage to wooden structures. Identifying an infestation of carpenter ants in your home is important so that you can take steps to eliminate them and prevent further damage.
There are several carpenter ant warning signs that can help you determine if your house is infested with these pests, including the presence of ants themselves, damage to wood, piles of sawdust, and the presence of winged ants.
If you suspect that your home is infested with carpenter ants, it is important to take action as soon as possible to eliminate them.
Common Warning Signs of Carpenter Ants
There are several warning signs that indicate carpenter ant infestation in your home. It is important to be aware of these signs so that you can take action timely.
Sighting of Carpenter Ants
If you have a carpenter ant infestation in your house, you’ll likely see these insects wandering around your house, particularly around wood structures, in search of food. Keep in mind that carpenter ants don’t eat wood, they prefer this material to build their nests.
Additionally, the carpenter ants that you’ll see will be workers if they don’t have any wings. These worker ants are typically larger than workers of other ant species and range in size from 1/4 to 1/2 inches. They can be black, red, or a combination of both, depending on the carpenter ant species.
Swarms of Flying Ants
If you see flying ants, either inside or outside of your home, it is a clear indication that an active carpenter ant nest is nearby. Seeing winged ants also means that the nest is at least two years old.
Flying ants, known as “swarmers,” are the reproductive members of a carpenter ant colony and will fly away from the nest in order to mate and establish new colonies.
This process is known as swarming and it can lead to the spread of carpenter ants and the potential for more nests and carpenter ant destruction in the area.
Shed Wings
It is common for many homeowners to believe that they don’t have a carpenter ant infestation if they don’t observe any activity of these pests. However, it can be difficult to properly identify the infestation because these ants typically tunnel through wood underneath the walls of the interior of a home.
Seeing carpenter ant wings indoors is a common sign that these insects have infested your house. These wings are shed by swarmer carpenter ants during the process of mating.
The presence of shed wings can suggest that there is either a new colony or an established one that is reproducing in the vicinity of where the wings were found.
Appearance of Frass
Carpenter ants are known for their ability to chew through wood, but they don’t consume it, as discussed above. Therefore, they dispose of the sawdust or wood shavings that accumulate in their tunnels through small kick-out holes.
The accumulation of these sawdust and wood shavings is called frass. If you have a carpenter ant infestation, you may notice frass gathered on the floor or stuck to the walls beneath these holes.
See Carpenter Ant Frass: What Does It Look Like?
Carpenter Ants Sounds
If you hear faint rustling or scratching noises coming from your walls, it is important not to ignore them as this could be a sign of a large number of ants behind the surface.
These noises, which are typically compared to the sound of crinkling cellophane, are more noticeable during the night. They’re produced as carpenter ants burrow into wood to create tunnels.
Visible Damage
If carpenter ants are allowed to go untreated, they can cause significant damage to the structure of your home.
As they tunnel through wood, they can weaken supports and cause framing to warp, leading to a range of issues including bulging walls, sinking ceilings, sloping floors, and stuck windows and doors.
These issues can be costly and time-consuming to repair, and can even compromise the safety of your home over time.
See What Damage Can Carpenter Ants Do?
What Should You Do If You Have Carpenter Ant Infestation in Your House?
If you suspect that you have a carpenter ant infestation in your house, there are a few steps you can take.
Identify the Source
Try to determine the location of the nest. Carpenter ants are usually attracted to damp or moist areas, such as around crawl spaces and water leaks. These pests may also nest in insulation, such as under floorboards, wall voids, and behind wallpaper.
See How To Find a Carpenter Ant Nest
Remove the Source of Food
Carpenter ants are attracted to food, so it is important to eliminate any food sources that may be attracting them. Keep food in sealed containers, clean up any spills or crumbs, and make sure that trash is properly disposed of.
See What Attracts Carpenter Ants?
Use Bait
Carpenter ants can be controlled with bait, which can be placed near the nest or along the ants’ trails. The ants will carry the bait back to the nest, where it will be shared with the rest of the colony and eventually eliminate the infestation.
Contact a Professional
If you are unable to identify the source of the infestation or are unable to control the problem on your own, it is important to contact a professional pest control company. They will have the knowledge and experience to effectively identify and eliminate carpenter ants.
Repair Any Damage
If there is carpenter ant damage, it is important to repair it as soon as possible to prevent further issues. This may include replacing damaged wood or reinforcing weakened structures.
Final Words
There are several signs that you may have carpenter ants in your house. These include sightings of carpenter ants, the presence of frass, winged ants, and rustling or scratching noises.
If you see any of these signs and suspect that you have a carpenter ant infestation, it is important to take action as soon as possible.
By being vigilant and taking timely action, you can effectively control the infestation and prevent further damage to your home.
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