Carpenter ants are one of the most destructive household pests in the U.S., especially in wooded or damp areas like those commonly found in northern New Jersey. Unlike termites, they don’t eat wood, they tunnel through it to build nests, which can seriously damage the structure of your home over time. If you’ve spotted these large black ants inside or outside your home, it’s time to act fast.
In this guide, we’ll cover how to get rid of carpenter ants, how to identify their presence, and why professional help is often the best route to stop them for good.
What Are Carpenter Ants?
Carpenter ants are large ants usually black, red, or a combination of both that nest inside wood. They are commonly mistaken for termites due to their wood-related destruction. The key difference is that while termites eat wood, carpenter ants excavate it, creating hollow tunnels for their nests.
These pests are particularly drawn to moist or decaying wood, making areas around windows, leaky roofs, crawl spaces, and basements ideal nesting sites.
How to Identify a Carpenter Ant Infestation
Recognizing a carpenter ant infestation early can save you thousands in potential repair costs. Here are a few telltale signs:
1. Sightings of Large Ants Indoors
Carpenter ants are most active at night and often forage for food in kitchens and pantries. If you spot large ants (up to ½ inch long) wandering indoors especially in the evening it may indicate a nest nearby.
2. Wood Shavings or Frass
As carpenter ants burrow through wood, they push out sawdust-like material called frass. If you notice small piles of this near baseboards, under cabinets, or around window sills, it’s time to investigate further.
3. Hollow-Sounding Wood
Tapping on an area of suspected damage may reveal a hollow sound, indicating tunneling inside the wood.
4. Rustling Noises in Walls
In severe infestations, people sometimes hear faint rustling noises within walls or ceilings, especially at night.
If you suspect these pests, don’t waste time searching for ant control near me and get a professional inspection right away.
How Carpenter Ants Damage Your Home
While carpenter ants don’t eat wood, their tunneling habits can compromise structural elements of your property. Over time, these nests can grow into satellite colonies, especially if left unchecked. Unlike some pests that infest surface-level areas, carpenter ants dig deep, often hiding within structural wood.
DIY treatments often fail to reach the main colony, allowing infestations to persist or even spread. That’s why knowing how to get rid of carpenter ants the right way is key.
Best Practices to Eliminate Carpenter Ants
1. Find the Nest
The most critical step in eliminating carpenter ants is locating the parent nest. Carpenter ants establish multiple satellite nests throughout a structure, which can make detection difficult without professional tools.
Look for nests in:
- Moist or rotting wood
- Wall voids and attic beams
- Under insulation in crawl spaces
- Behind siding or baseboards
2. Trim Trees and Shrubs
Carpenter ants often enter homes through overhanging branches or shrubs. Trimming vegetation away from the exterior of your home cuts off access points and helps prevent future infestations.
3. Eliminate Moisture Sources
Fix leaky faucets, gutters, and roofs. Dehumidify damp basements and ventilate crawl spaces. Carpenter ants are drawn to wet environments, and removing their preferred nesting sites is an essential step.
4. Use the Right Carpenter Ant Killer
While over-the-counter baits and treatments may provide temporary relief, most store-bought carpenter ant killer won’t eliminate the entire colony, especially the parent nest, which could be hidden deep inside a wall.
Professional-grade products are typically non-repellent, meaning the ants carry the treatment back to the colony and infect others.
5. Hire a Professional Pest Control Expert
If you’re seeing recurring activity or signs of damage, it’s time to call in experts. A qualified exterminator Randolph will inspect your property, locate all nests, and apply targeted treatments using safe, tested products.
At PermaKill Exterminating, we take a science-based approach to pest control, ensuring your problem is treated thoroughly and effectively.
Why DIY Isn’t Always Enough
While it might be tempting to handle a few ants on your own, carpenter ants require a deeper approach. Killing foraging ants won’t stop the queen or destroy the hidden colony. DIY solutions often act as repellents, causing ants to split and form new satellite colonies, making the problem worse over time.
That’s why trusting an experienced team with pest control Randolph experience ensures the root of the problem is properly treated.
How to Prevent Future Infestations
Once you’ve removed the carpenter ants, prevention is your next priority. Here’s how:
- Seal Entry Points: Caulk cracks and crevices around doors, windows, and utility lines.
- Store Firewood Away from the Home: Keep wood piles elevated and at least 20 feet away from your house.
- Inspect and Maintain Wood Structures: Replace damaged or rotting wood, and ensure decks, fences, and porches are sealed properly.
- Regular Inspections: Schedule seasonal pest inspections to catch early signs before they become major issues.
By staying proactive, you’ll drastically reduce the chances of carpenter ants returning.
About PermaKill Exterminating
At PermaKill Exterminating, we understand the stress and property damage that comes with a carpenter ant infestation. That’s why we’re committed to providing targeted, eco-friendly pest control solutions to homes and businesses in Randolph, NJ, and surrounding areas.
We’re a locally owned, family-operated business not a franchise focused on personalized service, scientific expertise, and long-term results. Whether you’re looking for comprehensive protection, we have the tools, experience, and dedication to help.
Our pest control treatments are designed with your family’s safety and comfort in mind. From one-time services to our comprehensive Home Protection Plan, we tailor every service to your unique needs and property structure.
