Carpenter ants are more than just a nuisance—they can cause serious structural damage to your home. While they don’t eat wood like termites, they do excavate it to build their nests, leading to costly repairs if left untreated. If you’re hearing soft rustling in your walls or spotting large black ants indoors, it’s time to take action. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about how to get rid of carpenter ants and how to keep them from coming back.
What Are Carpenter Ants?
Carpenter ants are large ants that are typically black, though some species can be red or brown. They range from ¼ to ½ inch in length and are commonly found in moist, decaying, or hollow wood. Unlike termites, they do not consume the wood—they tunnel through it to create nesting galleries.
Carpenter ants are most active at night, foraging for food such as sweets, meats, and pet food. Their presence often indicates a moisture problem somewhere in your home, which is an ideal nesting condition for these destructive pests.
How Do You Know You Have a Carpenter Ant Problem?
Identifying a carpenter ant infestation early can save you thousands in repair costs. Here are some key signs to watch for:
- Winged ants indoors: Seeing swarmers (reproductive ants with wings) is often the first sign of a colony nearby.
- Wood shavings or sawdust: Carpenter ants push out “frass” (a mix of chewed wood and dead insects) as they tunnel.
- Rustling noises: If you hear faint crackling or rustling within walls, especially at night, it could be an ant colony.
- Visible ants: Large black ants spotted along baseboards, in the kitchen, or crawling around windows may signal a nest inside.
Step-by-Step: How to Get Rid of Carpenter Ants
Step 1: Locate the Nest
The most critical part of how to get rid of carpenter ants is finding their nest. Carpenter ants often create satellite colonies separate from the main nest, making detection tricky.
Common nesting areas include:
- Wall voids
- Roof eaves
- Window frames
- Behind dishwashers
- Hollow doors
- Insulation
Look for activity in damp or decaying wood. Following ants at night with a flashlight may lead you to the nest.
Step 2: Eliminate Moisture Sources
Carpenter ants are drawn to moist environments. Fix leaky pipes, improve ventilation, and seal exterior entry points like cracks in the foundation, door frames, and window sills. Moisture control is key to long-term prevention.
Step 3: Use a Targeted Carpenter Ant Killer
Once the nest is located, apply a carpenter ant killer directly to the area. Options include:
- Baits: These slow-acting poisons are carried back to the colony and are effective at eliminating the entire population. Place them along ant trails.
- Dusts: Insecticidal dust can be puffed into wall voids or wood galleries.
- Foams and sprays: Expanding foams reach deep into cracks and crevices to contact hidden ants.
Avoid repellent sprays that may scatter the colony, causing them to split and form new nests.
Step 4: Monitor and Reapply if Needed
After the initial treatment, continue monitoring for signs of activity. It may take several days to a few weeks to eliminate a colony completely, especially if multiple nests are present.
Step 5: Call a Professional for Long-Term Solutions
Carpenter ants can be incredibly persistent. If you’re still seeing ants after DIY treatments—or if you’re unsure where the nest is located—professional pest control is your best option. Licensed technicians have access to advanced tools, treatments, and expertise that make a major difference in eliminating infestations and preventing future problems.
How to Prevent Future Infestations
Keeping carpenter ants out of your home involves a combination of environmental changes and regular maintenance. Here’s how:
Keep Your Home Dry and Well-Sealed
- Repair leaks and drainage issues.
- Use dehumidifiers in crawl spaces and basements.
- Trim trees and shrubs away from your home’s exterior.
Store Food Securely
- Keep sweet foods in sealed containers.
- Clean up crumbs and spills promptly.
- Rinse recycling containers before storing.
Maintain the Exterior of Your Home
- Replace rotting or water-damaged wood.
- Seal cracks in siding and around windows.
- Use weather stripping around doors and windows.
Why Professional Help Matters
Carpenter ants are complex insects that require more than a surface-level treatment. Their ability to build multiple nests and hide deep within structures makes them difficult to remove entirely without professional-grade products and techniques.
Working with an expert in pest control Chester NJ ensures the infestation is treated at its source. Professionals can also identify conditions that are inviting pests in the first place, helping you make necessary changes to keep your home ant-free for good.
When DIY Isn’t Enough: Call the Experts in Pest Control Chester
If you’re a homeowner in Chester or surrounding areas and you’re battling a carpenter ant infestation, don’t wait until the damage becomes severe. At the first sign of carpenter ants, it’s time to bring in trusted professionals for pest control Chester that delivers long-term results.
About PermaKill Exterminating
At PermaKill Exterminating, we are committed to helping families and businesses throughout Northern New Jersey enjoy pest-free environments. As a locally owned and family-operated company—not a franchise—we provide custom, science-based pest control treatments designed for your specific needs.
Our eco-friendly approach ensures your home is safe for kids, pets, and the environment. Whether you’re dealing with carpenter ants, rodents, mosquitoes, or other common pests, our expert team is ready with innovative solutions and outstanding customer service.
We proudly serve Chester, NJ and the surrounding areas, offering everything from specific pest treatments to our comprehensive Home Protection Plan. If you’re searching for effective carpenter ant killer services or need help with how to get rid of carpenter ants, reach out today and let us help you reclaim your peace of mind.
