Carpenter Ants
Carpenter ants excavate moist wood to form galleries, weakening structural elements.
Background & Behavior
(Camponotus spp.) These large black or red ants are sometimes mistaken for termites due to their wood-tunneling habits. Unlike termites, they don’t eat wood but excavate it to build nests. Over time, this can weaken structural timbers, doors, and windowsills. They prefer moist or decaying wood and often indicate hidden water damage.
DIY Approaches
- Remove rotting firewood and landscaping timbers away from exterior walls.
- Repair roof and plumbing leaks promptly to eliminate damp wood.
- Place bait gels labelled for carpenter ants along active trails.
- Trim tree limbs touching the home to prevent highway access.
- Use boric acid dust sparingly in wall voids where frass is observed.
Professional Services
- Order comprehensive inspections including moisture mapping and wall sounding.
- Have technicians inject foaming termiticides into galleries to collapse colonies.
- Set up monitoring stations to track satellite nests on large properties.
- Request structural repairs to replace compromised beams and fascia.
- Establish annual carpenter ant service agreements with guaranteed follow-ups.
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