How To Get Rid Of Carpenter Ants

It's summertime and while you may be enjoying the warm weather outside, carpenter ants could be enjoying your home inside. The season is here for them to tunnel and chew their way into the moisture-rich wood that is prevalent during the stormy afternoons of summer. Here is everything you need to know about identifying, eliminating, and preventing carpenter ants from entering your home.

How To Identify A Carpenter Ant

Carpenter ants are commonly known as the large black ants that are found in wood and moisture-ridden areas where their nests are heavily presented in tunnels throughout. Much of their presence is made through them leaving sawdust-like material, known as frass, behind in their tunneling activity that occurs primarily in the spring and remain so through early fall. 

Carpenter ants come in many different sizes, ranging from an 3/4 of an inch to 1/8 of an inch. They are mostly black in color with some variations of black, red, or brown. While they are one of the larger ant species, their identification can still be difficult due to their sneaky behavior.

Common Mistakes When Identifying Carpenter Ants:

Since Carpenter ants make their home in wooden structures and their queens have wings, they are oftentimes misidentified as termites. However, carpenter ants can be quickly differentiated when comparing the two by a pest professional. Some of the easiest ways to determine if you have carpenter ants or termites is to look for the following features:

Carpenter Ant Identifying Features

• Elbowed antennas
• Pinched waist
• Two thoraxes (or 3 body segments)
• Two sets of wings of different sizes (the front wings are longer than their hind wings)

Termite Swarmer Identifying Features

• Straight antennas
• Thick waist
• Two body segments
• Two sets of wings of the same size

Still can’t determine if it’s a carpenter ant or termite? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Sometimes, identification of carpenter ants can only be dependable from pest control professionals, by contacting us at American Pest we can give you the best care for any carpenter ant or termite problem you may be dealing with.

How To Eliminate Carpenter Ants

Due to carpenter ants' behavior mainly being in unseen areas it is best to consult professionals when an infestation occurs even if you are unsure you have an infestation yet. For the most effective results in eliminating them, Our QualityPro-certified pest professionals are some of the greatest in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia region and have strived to help protect homeowners and business owners from pests since 1925!

How To Prevent Carpenter Ants From Returning

Once your service is complete it is best to keep up with preventative practices to decrease the risk of any infestations reoccurring, those being:

• Keep tree branches and other wooden plants cut back from the house. These can be used as entryways for carpenter ants and other pests to enter your home
• Seal small cracks and openings around windows and doors as a way to eliminate entry points for these pests
• Keep any firewood, stored away from the home due to carpenter ants and termites being attracted to them. When up against your home, you’re essentially inviting them in
• Proactive pest control and inspections from a pest professional like American Pest

Carpenter ants are very capable of damaging the integrity of a home. That’s why it's important to be in the know when identifying, eliminating, and preventing carpenter ants.

As always, American Pest wants you and your family to be safe and well protected from these silent destroyers and our services are readily available for when problems arise. To request a free estimate, you can call 301-232-5845 or complete the form below!