HOW TO GET RID OF CARPENTER ANTS BEFORE THEY DAMAGE YOUR HOME OR COTTAGE

Carpenter ants are one of the most destructive pests that homeowners in Southern Ontario may encounter in their homes and cottages. Unlike termites, these ants don’t consume wood. They tunnel through wood to create their nests, which can weaken the structural integrity of a structure over time. 

When dealing with a carpenter ant infestation, early detection, and proper treatment are crucial in preventing costly damage. 

Here’s what you need to know about getting rid of carpenter ants before they cause serious harm.

Signs of a Carpenter Ant Infestation

To take the best course of action it’s essential to confirm that you actually have a carpenter ant problem. Here are some common signs to look for:

• Frass (Wood Shavings): Are you seeing piles of fine wood debris near baseboards, window sills, or wooden furniture?
• Rustling Noises: Are you hearing faint scratching sound inside walls or wooden structures, especially at night when they are most active?
• Large Black Ants: Are you seeing large black ants (6-12 mm long) indoors, particularly near wooden areas or in the kitchen. They may have wings and fly around.
• Damaged Wood: Have you discovered hollowed-out or weakened wooden beams and structures, often with smooth tunnels inside?

If you have some or all the signs shared above, it’s likely that you have carpenter ants.

The good news is that you can get rid of them, and if you catch them early enough, you may avoid serious and costly damage. 

Getting Rid of Carpenter Ants in Your Home or Cottage

1. Locate the Nest

Finding the nest is the most critical step in eliminating carpenter ants. They typically build nests in:

• Decayed or moist wood inside walls, attics, and basements.
• Wooden furniture or hollow doors.
• Trees, stumps, or firewood near the house or cottage.

Use a flashlight to inspect damp or damaged wood. If you see ants moving in and out, you may have discovered the colony.

2. Eliminate Interior & Exterior Sources of Moisture

Carpenter ants favour and thrive in damp environments. Reducing excess moisture will help you slow down a current issue and prevent future issues. Here are some tips:

• Fixing plumbing leaks inside and outside your home or cottage.
• Address condensation issues.
• Ensure proper ventilation in attics, crawl spaces, and basements.
• Remove wet or rotting wood and organic matter from your property, especially anything that is close to the exterior of your cottage or home.

3. Seal Entry Points

Prevent future infestations by carpenter ants (and other pests too) by sealing potential entry points, such as:

• Caulk cracks and gaps around doors, windows, and foundation walls.
• Replace torn screens.
• Use door sweeps and weather stripping on doors and windows.
• Replace damaged wooden structures. 

4. Remove Outdoor Attractions

Carpenter ants are outdoor pests and prefer to nest outdoors. They end up indoors by mistake or because favourable conditions are present (e.g. damp rotting wood). By helping to minimize and prevent them from nesting around the exterior of your home or cottage, you can help prevent them from ending up indoors, where you don’t want them. Here are some tips for reducing outdoor attractions:

• Keep firewood stacked away from your dwelling.
• Remove dead tree stumps and decaying logs from your yard.
• Keep mulch and soil dry around the foundation.
• Trim trees or shrubs back regularly so that they are NOT touching your house or cottage.

When to Call a Professional Carpenter Ant Control Expert

Carpenter ants can cause significant damage if left unchecked, so if you think you have ants inside your home or cottage, it’s important to address the pest control issue quickly.

If the infestation is severe or you’re unable to locate the nest, it’s best to immediately call a professional pest control company for help, like Environmental Pest Control. 

Why choose us? We’ve been your trusted local ant experts since 1988. Our licensed pest management professionals have decades of knowledge, first-hand experience, and safe & effective solutions to manage, control and eliminate carpenter ant issues.

For more information about carpenter ants or other insects, bugs or rodents visit our pest library.