Carpenter Ants
- Order: Hymenoptera
- Class: Insects
- Life: 7 to 17 years
- Weight: 20 to 50 g
- Length: 6 to 13 mm
Carpenter ants
Pest Control
Sign of presence
Carpenter ants are among the most feared pests of the home. They are characterized by their ability to burrow into wood, causing extensive structural damage.
Fine sawdust and wood chips
One of the first visible signs is the presence of fine sawdust, often deposited near door frames, windows or baseboards. Unlike termites, carpenter ants don’t consume wood, but dislodge it to create galleries for their nests. You may also spot broken wood, especially in damp or decaying areas.
Winged ants indoors or outdoors
In spring, it’s common to see winged ants emerging from walls, cracks or roof timbers. These sexual individuals leave the colony to form new colonies. If you see large numbers of these flying insects indoors, it often indicates a well-established infestation.
Increased activity near wetlands
Carpenter ants prefer damp environments to establish their main nest. If your home has water infiltration, condensation or moisture problems in areas such as basements, bathrooms or attics, these areas can become major hotspots for these insects.
Frequent movement around the house
If you regularly see ants in your kitchen, cupboards or living spaces, this may be another key clue. These workers are actively foraging for food, whether sweet, fatty or high-protein. The sustained presence of ants, even out of season, is a sign that a colony has been established nearby.
Noises in walls or ceilings
In advanced cases, you may hear slight rustling or scratching in the walls, caused by ants digging their galleries. Although this sign is more difficult to detect, it is a serious indicator of their presence, especially in already weakened wooden structures.
Prevention
Preventing an infestation of carpenter ants requires a combination of vigilance, regular maintenance and specific strategies to limit their access to your home.
Eliminate sources of decaying wood
Carpenter ants often nest in dead or decaying wood. Be sure to uproot dead tree stumps and remove any rotting wood around your property. Firewood should be stored at a safe distance from your home, elevated and covered to prevent dampness.
Caulk cracks and access points
Inspect your home regularly for cracks in walls, foundations or window frames. These gaps are ideal entry points for carpenter ants. Seal them with caulking or other suitable materials to limit their access.
Reducing humidity in and around the home
Moisture attracts carpenter ants because of their preference for damp wood. Repair water leaks promptly, ventilate damp spaces such as bathrooms and basements properly, and ensure that gutters direct water away from foundations. Controlling humidity in this way is crucial to preventing moisture build-up.
Protecting and securing food products
Although they don’t eat wood, carpenter ants are omnivores. They seek out sweet, fatty or high-protein foods. Keep your food in airtight containers, clean food preparation surfaces regularly, and empty garbage cans frequently to avoid attracting them.
Cut off direct exterior access to the house
Tree branches, vines or hedges that touch the structure of your home can act as bridges for carpenter ants. Prune surrounding vegetation regularly to prevent it from becoming a passageway to your home. This also includes eliminating potential nests in the immediate vicinity.
The Carpenter Ants
Carpenter ants, members of the Formicidae family, belong to the Hymenoptera order, like wasps. These social insects live in well-organized anthills, structured around a hierarchy comprising a queen, workers and warriors. Although often mistaken for wood-eating insects because of the damage they cause to wood, carpenter ants do not consume wood like termites. They only excavate wood to build their tunnels as they search for food.
Our specialized pest control team offers top-quality extermination solutions to effectively eliminate carpenter ants. With our targeted treatments, we ensure that your home remains permanently protected from these pests. With our comprehensive methods, say goodbye to invasive ants and the damage they can cause.
Because of their ability to damage wooden structures, carpenter ants represent a real danger to homes, especially if their presence is not detected early. A preventive approach, combined with careful monitoring, is essential to limit their intrusion and avoid costly repairs. If you observe signs of infestation or suspect their presence, it’s crucial to act immediately by contacting professionals capable of effectively eradicating the problem.
