Carpenter Ant Inspection and Damage

The following article contains helpful information and tips to help you recognize signs of carpenter ant damage that will lead you to the carpenter ant nest.


How To Locate a Carpenter Ant Nest 

Basic Tips for Inspection:

1. The best time for inspection is at night when carpenter ants are actively foraging.
   
2. Do not give up inspection just because you have located a single colony; there may in fact be several colonies throughout the structure.
   
3. Prime areas for inspection include any wooden structures where high moisture content is present, including: window and door frames, tub and well enclosure walls, kitchen and bath plumbing walls.
   
4. The use of a flashlight will aid in locating trails and other signs of carpenter ant damage.

What do Carpenter Ants look like?

To the average homeowner, it can be a challenge to determine whether those small, dark, swarming insects inside the home are carpenter ants or termites. If you need help, here's our article on the difference between carpenter ants and termites.



Where do Carpenter Ants nest?

To help you begin your inspection, here is list of the common indoor nesting sites of Carpenter ants:

Potential Indoor Nesting Sites:

- Wall Voids
- Attics (under roofing and insulation)
- Flooring and sub flooring
- Ceilings
- Windows
- Skylights
- Hollow doors
- Dishwashers
- Trash compactors
- Plumbing, pipe chases

Potential Outdoor Nesting Sites:

- Trees
- Stumps/ dead trees
- Landscape timbers
- Woodpiles
- Fences
- Leaf litter, debris piles, mulch beds
- Door kick plates
- Window and door frames
- Utility entrances
- Trash containers

Signs of Carpenter Ant Damage:

When inspecting for Carpenter Ant infestations, the following may indicate a nearby colony.

• Frass - As carpenter ants bore their nests, they leave behind several piles of fibrous, finely shredded sawdust-like material called "frass" which is made up of wood shavings, soil, and insect parts.
  
• Sounds - If you identify a potential nest site, try tapping against it with a screwdriver with your ear placed to the wall. Alarmed Carpenter Ants will make a faint clicking or rustling sound.
  
• Wood Damage- Look for smooth, clean galleries and small windows or slit-like openings in infested wood as a sign of nesting. These slits acts as "garbage chutes" used to dispose of frass and other materials.
  
• Trails - Carpenter ants form tight, closely associated trails that can be traced to the nesting area. Look for trails along carpet edges, door frames, fence tops, etc.

Recommended Products for Carpenter Ant Control

Carpenter Ant Kits
Carpenter Ant Kit #1
Carpenter Ant Kit #2


For Perimeter Treatments:
Demon WP Insecticide -for crack and crevice and/or spot applications for residual and contact control of many insect pests.

For Void Treatments:
Delta Dust Insecticide- Delta Dust is the only waterproof dust available, great for wall voids, cracks and crevices.

Suspend SC - Our best selling liquid insecticide concentrate. Suspend SC is excellent for almost all types of insect control.


Carpenter Ant Baits:
Advance Carpenter Ant Bait- Carpenter Ant bait formulated to kill carpenter ants.

Maxforce Carpenter Ant Bait Gel- Provides fast control in 3-5 days.Maxforce gel uses a delayed action kill so the bait is passed throughout the carpenter ant colony.

Related Articles
Carpenter Ant Control
Carpenter Ant Baiting Tips
Difference Between Termites and Carpenter Ants
Carpenter Ant Quick Management Tips
How To Get Rid of Carpenter Ants
Carpenter Ants Identification and Biology