Insect – High risk
Carpenter Ant
Carpenter ants dig galleries in wood to establish their nests, causing major structural damage. Prompt professional intervention is essential to avoid costly damage.
6-13 mm – Black to brown
§1Distinctive features
How to identify it
Measuring 6 to 13 mm, the carpenter ant is one of the largest ants in Quebec. Mostly black, sometimes brownish or with reddish hues, it is distinguished by its domed thorax. There are 5 main species in Quebec. Winged queens can reach 20 mm.
§2Habitat
Where to find it
It settles in damp or degraded wood – old stumps, forests, but also in dwellings: door sills, joists, window frames. A secondary nest can be created inside the house, even if the main nest is outside.
§3Reproduction
Lifecycle
Without intervention, an infestation can double in size in just a few weeks.
§4What to look out for
Signs of infestation
- Fine sawdust (frass) near baseboards or thresholds
- Swarm of winged ants in flight season
- Ants in the house at night
- Scraping noise in walls or ceiling
- Visible damage to wooden structures
§5Why act fast
Risks
- Extensive structural damage to the wood of the house
- A colony can reach 2,000 individuals in 3 years
- Galleries weaken beams and load-bearing structures
- Difficult to eradicate without professional treatment cibél
§6Prevention
How to avoid it
- Avoid stacking wood against the house
- Uproot nearby decaying stumps
- Sealing cracks in windows and doors
- Controlling water infiltration and humidity
- Cut branches that touch the building
- Store food in airtight containers
§7Pro method
How MW works
Inspection
Home location and assessment.
Preparation
Customized plan – pre-intervention measurements.
Treatment
Locate main and satellite nests, treat with non-repellent baits.
Follow-up
Inspection visit – written guarantee.
§8We answer you
Frequently asked questions
Do carpenter ants eat wood?
No, they excavate it for nesting. Structural damage can be as severe as that caused by termites.
How can you tell them apart from a simple black ant?
The carpenter ant is considerably larger (6-13 mm), with a rounded thorax and a pronounced wasp-like waist.
Should I call a professional?
Yes, they are very difficult to eliminate without treatment targeting the nest at source.
The carpenter ant hollows out wood to house its colony, which makes it the pest that most directly affects a building’s structure. Our carpenter ant treatment targets both the parent nest and the satellite nests. The older housing stock in Sherbrooke and the wooded areas around Granby, Magog and Bromont are especially exposed.
Sources used for this fact sheet: Health Canada, carpenter ants · Natural Resources Canada, carpenter ant · Espace pour la vie, carpenter ants · Entomofaune du Québec, genus Camponotus.
React quickly, sleep well.
The longer the infestation lasts, the more expensive it becomes.
