If you suspect an infestation in your trees, carpenter ants can be eradicated with chemicals, natural pesticides, prevention, or by calling in the professionals. The method depends on where the ants are and how many you have.
Carpenter ants excavate tunnels and chambers within their host trees, using natural and artificial cavities as nesting sites.
When these ants move into a tree, they leave tell-tale clues behind them: frass (a mixture of sawdust and fecal matter) around the entrance to their nests and small piles of sawdust on the ground nearby.
If you see any signs in your tree or other outdoor space, it’s time to get proactive about carpenter ants before they take up permanent residence. Here’s how to get rid of carpenter ants in trees and what you can do to prevent an infestation in the first place.
Find Out What Type of Ant You’re Dealing With
The best way to get rid of carpenter ants depends on the species you have. Carpenter ants are one of the most common ant species in the U.S., but several other species also like to nest in trees.
The following characteristics help identify carpenter ants:
- Large size (up to several centimeters in length)
- Black or reddish-black
- Pointed antennae and three distinct body regions
- Powerful mandibles used to bore into wood.
(See our guide on How To Identify Carpenter Ants).
5 Methods for Controlling a Carpenter Ant Infestation
Carpenter ants are tough little critters that can be challenging to eradicate, but there are a few things you can do to make it more likely that you’ll get rid of them in your trees.
If you’ve noticed carpenter ants in your trees, you should seal off their entry point first. You can apply a solvent-based sealant to the area around the tree’s base.
1. Remove Damaged Wood
Carpenter ants might have just moved into a tree, and you can remove the infected areas without resorting to chemicals.
Trimming away overhanging branches and other areas where the ants can easily access the tree can help prevent future infestations. If they are confined to the branches, you can remove those branches.
If the carpenter ant nest is in the tree trunk, you will have to move on to more substantial methods.
2. Chemical Control
Some of the most popular chemicals include sprays, dust, and baits.
The most common active ingredients used in ant sprays are permethrin, pyrethrin, and carbaryl. Using the right insecticide for the right ant species is important, as some products are more effective at controlling certain species than others.
Baits typically contain an attractant like sugar or honeycomb and a slow-acting insecticide. The ants will feed on the bait and return it to their nest, where they will eventually die.
Apply Aerosol Foam
This method involves spraying an aerosol foam onto the tree, where it will expand, and then filling any holes or crevices where carpenter ants live. The foam contains insecticides that will kill the ants on contact and seal off their access points to the tree.
Fuse Foam (link to Amazon) is a popular solution for this.
This short YouTube video demonstrates how the foam expands to fill the holes:
3. Biological Control
If you want a less toxic approach, some homeowners prefer biological control methods, such as introducing predators like predatory wasps into the area. These predators will feed on the carpenter ants and help reduce their population in your trees.
You can also use traps to catch carpenter ants as they move from one area to another. Traps come in many forms, such as sticky, funnel-shaped, and even bait traps. The key is knowing where to place the traps to maximize their effectiveness.
4. Diversion Tactics
If you can’t eliminate carpenter ants in your trees, consider diversion tactics that will keep them from coming back.
Carpenter ants are attracted to moist, decaying wood, so you should try to keep your trees as dry as possible. You can also block the ants’ pathway to your house by sealing cracks or holes around your home’s foundation.
Remove any food and water sources from around the tree, and pick up fallen branches or other debris that could attract the ants.
You can deter ants from entering your yard and garden by growing plants that repel them. Ants don’t like the smell of peppermint, neem, garlic, or citrus oils, so you can plant these around your garden to keep them out.
You can also minimize moisture around your home and garden by using a watering can instead of a hose and planting drought-resistant plants.
Regularly inspect trees for signs of infestation, such as visible galleries or tunnels, and take action immediately if any are found.
Spraying Peppermint Oil
If you want to use peppermint oil to deter carpenter ants, the best way is to make a homemade ant spray. Fill a spray bottle with a mixture of water and peppermint oil (30 drops of essential oil per gallon of water) and shake it well.
Spray this mixture around your trees and areas where the ants are likely to enter your home. Reapply this spray every couple of days to keep the ants away.
5. Professional Pest Control
If all else fails, consider hiring a professional pest control company to care for your carpenter ant problem. They will be able to identify and treat the ants in your trees with more advanced methods than what you can do on your own. In addition, they can provide advice on preventing future infestations.
Because there are a considerable number of ants in the average carpenter ant colony, carpenter ants can pose a serious threat to the health of your trees, so it’s important to take action as soon as you notice them.
With the right steps, you should be able to get rid of any carpenter ant infestations and keep your trees free of these pests.
Final Thoughts
Carpenter ants can be a nuisance to have around your trees, but with the right steps and the use of ant baits, you can control them and keep them from coming back.
Eliminating moisture and food sources, sealing off any potential entry points, removing affected trees if necessary, and using chemical or biological control methods are all effective ways of dealing with carpenter ants.
Taking preventative measures such as regularly inspecting your trees for signs of infestation can help you avoid potential problems in the future.
If you still cannot control the problem, consider contacting a pest control specialist or hiring a contractor to do the job. With their assistance, you can be sure that your trees will be safe and free from carpenter ants.
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