How to Get Rid of Carpenter Ants Inside Your Home

It’s bad enough when ants invade your picnic, but the ones that bore into your home are infinitely worse. Luckily, if you’re wondering how to get rid of carpenter ants, you’ve got a few solid ways to intervene.

The carpenter ant is a specific type of ant that builds nests within wood and can cause major structural damage if left unchecked. Once you spot the signs of these squatters, you’ll want to deal with them right away before they can further harm your home. Here’s a little more detail on these ants and how you can kick them out.      

Why Do I Have Carpenter Ants in My Home?

Unlike their foodie relative, the sugar ant, crumbs and food messes aren’t why this pest is in your home. Carpenter ants hunt for wooden structures to inhabit, so homes are tempting territory. They don’t aim to feed; they aim to permanently move in.  

Carpenter ants prefer moist wood, so they’re most likely to pop up when there’s wood dampened by leaks. However, any wood will do when they’ve found a suitable spot, which is why you’ll want to get rid of them as soon as possible. If you can’t find the nest on your own, hire a local pest inspection company to help. 

Signs of a Carpenter Ant vs. Termite Infestation

Before you can start the eviction process, it’s important to identify whether you’re dealing with ants or termites. Carpenter ants are big and either black or dark brown, with six legs and a three-part segmented body. 

You can spot their damage by looking for piles of sawdust—called frass—where they bore into the wood. You might also see slits and holes in wood where they’re nesting. 

Termites have light amber-colored bodies and are far more destructive, so you’ll want to address a termite problem immediately if you suspect one. Signs of termites include sagging or discolored drywall, raised floors, and small pinholes in wood. 

How to Get Rid of Carpenter Ants Naturally or With Pesticides

Carpenter ants are important to the natural ecosystem, as they help break down woody debris in the wild. However, when they’ve made their way into your home, they’re far from beneficial insects. Once you’ve accurately identified the insects, you have a few ways to intervene. 

Here’s how to kill carpenter ants, with or without chemical pesticides.

Directly Dust the Nest

A direct attack on the nest is the most effective way to get rid of carpenter ants, but you’ll need to locate it first. You can attract carpenter ants with honey, honeydew, or other sweet fruits. Once they find the bait, follow their trail back to the nest, which is likely through a door, wall, or cabinet.

If the nest is visible and readily accessible, you can dust it directly with carpenter ant powder. Food-grade diatomaceous earth is an effective natural solution that isn’t dangerous to humans or pets—but you should still wear gloves, a mask, and eye protection when applying it to ensure you don’t breathe it in. Follow the manufacturer’s safety recommendations for application. 

Chemical insecticides are also available, but these may be hazardous to use in homes with pets or children.

Place Baits

If you can’t find or reach the nest, your next best option is placing baits to kill the carpenter ants. You can buy pre-made boric acid baits with a food attractant, or you can make your own by mixing 1 part powdered sugar to 3 parts boric acid. 

Leave the mixture wherever you see the ants—since the ants will bring the food back to the nest, it should eventually wipe them out. Follow the manufacturer’s safety directions for handling boric acid and keep it away from children and pets. 

How to Kill Carpenter Ants and Prevent Them From Coming Back

Once you’ve picked your poison, whether a more natural solution like diatomaceous earth or a pesticide treatment, it’s important to take steps to prevent the carpenter ants from returning. 

Here are the best ways to get rid of carpenter ants for good: 

• Address any plumbing leaks or structural weaknesses that may be causing damp areas in your home.

• Maintain a clean, clutter-free home.

• Use caulk to seal cracks in your foundation, as well as around doors and windows

• Trim any tree limbs or branches that are contacting your home.

• Clean up leaves, wood, and other natural debris near your home.

DIY vs. Hire a Pro

If you’re having trouble wiping out the nest, then it’s definitely worth calling an exterminator in your area to get rid of carpenter ants for you. Seeing the ants and treating them periodically means they’re still breeding and boring within your home’s wooden structure. 

You’ll want to have the area treated before the damage gets any worse. Talk to the pro about scheduling regular intervals of service to kill any returning ants before they can become a problem again.   

FAQs

What kills carpenter ants?

Soapy water or window cleaner will kill ants on contact, while cleaning up their trail with soap or vinegar can prevent them from returning. Once you’ve located the nest, a direct dusting with food-grade diatomaceous earth or other carpenter ant dust will wipe it out. 

Why do carpenter ants suddenly appear?

If you’re suddenly seeing big ants roaming around your home, chances are they’re not there by accident. There’s likely a nest nearby, so it’s important to investigate ASAP.