As a homeowner, nothing is worse than finding out that your cozy home might be hosting people you didn’t ask. Carpenter ants, which are quiet but can do a lot of damage, have a knack for getting into homes and making foundation problems. But don’t worry, because if you know how to spot the signs of a carpenter ant problem, you can catch them before they do a lot of damage.
- Activity of Ants Can Be Seen : Carpenter ants are known for how busy they are, and this is often more obvious when the weather gets warmer. If you start to see big, dark ants walking around your house, especially in the kitchen or near wood, it’s time to pay attention. Carpenter ants are on the move, and if you see one, there are probably a lot more nearby.
- Frass That Looks Like Sawdust : Instead of eating wood like termites do, carpenter ants dig into it to make tunnels and nests. Because of this, they make “frass,” which is a mix of wood that has been chewed up and ant waste. If you see piles of fine material that looks like sawdust around your house, especially near wooden structures, it could be the work of carpenter ants.
- I hear rustling sounds inside the walls : The sound of rustling coming from inside your walls is a scary sign that you have carpenter ants. These ants are good at digging, and you might be able to hear them moving around in the wood as they make their houses. If you hear moving sounds behind your walls that you didn’t expect, it’s time to find out what’s going on.
- Damage to the wood and hollow sounds : Carpenter ants don’t eat wood like termites do, but they are very good at making tunnels through it. Over time, their activity can weaken wooden buildings, leaving smooth galleries that look almost like sandpaper. If you knock on wood that you think might be infested and hear a hollow sound, it means that carpenter ant burrows have hollowed out the wood.
- Bugs with Wings : Carpenter ants have a stage where males and females with wings leave their homes to mate and make new ones. If you see winged ants in your home, especially in the spring, it could mean that a full colony is close by. Keep in mind that these flying ants are not the same as termites. Their antennae are bent and they have a clear waist.
- Paths and hunting habits : Carpenter ants work hard to find food, and they often look for sweet and protein-rich foods. If you see ants moving in a regular pattern, especially near your kitchen or food storage areas, it’s a sign that they’ve moved into your home. Follow these paths to try to find where they live.
- Wooden buildings that are damaged : Check the wooden parts of your home, like the door frames, window frames, and wooden beams. Look for signs of damage, such as hollowed-out parts, tunnels, or even small holes where ants could be getting in and out. Sometimes, ant workers will come out of these holes to do their jobs.
- Too much moisture : Carpenter ants like moist wood because it makes it easier for them to dig through. If there is water damage or too much moisture around your home, especially near wooden buildings, it could be a good place for carpenter ants to live.
The first step in getting rid of a carpenter ant problem is to know what to look for. If you find a problem early, you can avoid expensive repairs and damage to the structure. If you think you might have a carpenter ant problem, it’s best to call a professional pest control service. With their help, you can deal with the problem and bring peace back to your home.
At Ant Exterminator Oshawa we offer long-term solutions that can guarantee the eradication of pest presence throughout the property. We treat residential properties as well as commercial properties.