Carpenter ants can be terrible pests when they appear in your home. Although they are not aggressive insects, carpenter ants are known to give a painful bite. If your home is at risk for an infestation, you need to take preventive measures to make sure that you stop the ants from making your home theirs and to avoid expensive repair costs later on. The first step to carpenter ant control is knowing how to identify a carpenter ant colony.
How to Identify a Carpenter Ant Nest
You will find carpenter ant nests in wooden structures that are moist or those with holes and bores created by other insects. The most common places you can find a nest include rotting windows, door frames, floorboards, and wall voids. There is a greater likelihood of finding a nest if the location is moist, damp, or humid and not well lit. You may also find either of the two types of colonies: the parent colonies or the satellite colonies. Outdoors, carpenter ants are known to create their nests in damp and rotting tree stumps.
If you suspect that there is a carpenter’s nest nearby, start tapping the wooden structures and look for a hollow sound that indicates damaged wood. Infested wooden structures tend to give off this sound because the inside is already hollow due to ant excavation. If you have no idea where the nest is, follow worker ants back to their nests. If you want to locate the nest faster, set out food particles that the ants like, such as honey, sugar, or tuna flakes.
Another indicator of carpenter ant presence is a pile of sawdust near wooden structures and woodpiles, especially those in damp basements or garages. Once you get a good idea of carpenter ant presence, confirm by tapping on the wood and waiting for that characteristic hollow sound. Once you have confirmed that an infestation is present, it is best to consult with a professional exterminator for the best remedy to remove the ants and the colony from your home.