4 Signs of Carpenter Ants in the House

Visible ants, droppings, or discarded wings are a few telltale signs of an infestation

close up of carpenter ant
Photo: Mainely Photos / iStock / Getty Images
close up of carpenter ant
Photo: Mainely Photos / iStock / Getty Images
Melissa Graham
Written by Melissa Graham
Contributing Writer
Updated May 13, 2024

Highlights

  • Carpenter ants often require professional treatment to remove.

  • Signs of an infestation include ant trails, droppings, nests, or discarded wings. 

  • Hearing strange sounds in the walls of your home may indicate a carpenter ant infestation.

  • The cost to hire an ant control pro is $250 to $500.

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Piles of ants outside the home shouldn’t be cause for concern. But if you spot a trail of large ants inside or hear scratching noises in your walls, those are signs of carpenter ants in your house, which is a larger issue. Knowing other common signs and what steps to take once you’ve identified them can help you figure out who to call next and what prevention methods to put in place.

Pro Tip
Exclusion is the best practice for keeping unwanted pests out. Examples include replacing weather stripping around windows and doors, using dehumidifiers to keep moisture content down, sealing up cracks and crevices both on the exterior and interior of the house, repairing any household damage, and taking care of water-related leaks sooner than later.
Joshua Malik
CEO and Founder of Joshua Tree Experts

Signs of Carpenter Ants

carpenter ants walking in garden
Photo: bgwalker / Getty Images

One or more of the following signs of a carpenter ant infestation indicates an infestation inside your house. 

1. Visible Ants

The most obvious sign of carpenter ants in your home is physically spotting them. The most prominent feature that sets carpenter ants apart from regular ants is their segmented body, which consists of three main parts: the head, thorax, and abdomen. They are also on the larger side, about 6 to 13 millimeters long. 

2. Strange Sounds in Walls

That faint rustling you might hear inside your woodwork isn’t from stray leaves or rodents—it could be carpenter ants. Because they tend to burrow into woodwork, they can make a scraping or rustling sound when they’re scraping out wood particles. If you hear noise frequently, it might be time to call your local ant exterminator

3. Ant Trails 

It’s rare to find a single ant without a trail following close behind since they tend to travel together for long distances to forage for food. A few ants inside and trails of them outside is a good indicator that it’s time to hire an exterminator. These pest control pros can put together and implement a treatment plan before the infestation gets out of hand. 

4. Discarded Wings 

“Swarmer” carpenter ants are likely to leave behind discarded wings near window sills, baseboards, or vents, since those areas tend to be helpful entry points. Whether you notice a few wings or a whole pile, both are signs that you have a carpenter ant problem.

How to Know You Need to Hire a Pro to Remove Carpenter Ants

If you've attempted to control the carpenter ant infestation on your own using store-bought baits or sprays, but the problem persists or worsens, it's time to seek professional help. DIY methods may not effectively target the root of the infestation or reach hidden nests. You should call a pest control professional if you experience any of these issues:

  • Constant ant trails 

  • Multiple nests near your property 

  • Damaged wood 

  • Extreme allergies or health risks 

Can I DIY Carpenter Ant Removal?

You can attempt to remedy your ant problem by setting ant bait and sealing entry points, but carpenter ants are harder to eliminate than other varieties. Since they like to chew through wood, carpenter ants can cause structural damage to your home. They are better treated by a professional with the right pesticides and equipment to get the job done. Plus, they’ll know how to get rid of ants in either one session or multiple treatment sessions in order to eliminate them for good.

How to Prevent Carpenter Ant Infestation

The best way to prevent carpenter ant infestation is to keep both the inside and outside of your home well maintained. 

  • Carpenter ants are always on the hunt for sweet, protein-rich food, so make sure to clean out your pantry and kitchen as often as possible. 

  • Sealing any prevalent cracks or crevices can also keep the ants at bay so they don’t have an easy entry point into your home. 

  • This species of ant is also attracted to dead or decaying wood, so it helps to remove any rotten debris, firewood stacks, or tree trunks near your property. 

How Much Does It Cost to Get Rid of Carpenter Ants?

exterminator spraying pesticide by kitchen cabinet
Photo: bymuratdeniz / Getty Images

The cost to hire an ant exterminator ranges from $250 to $500, depending on the extent of the infestation and the location of the ants. If you opt for the DIY route for smaller, more contained infestations, ant traps or insecticides will likely run you about $5 to $10 per trap or treatment.

Because carpenter ants tend to be more difficult to remove, an exterminator may be the best route to go. You may pay more upfront, but the issue will be resolved sooner and you won’t risk damage to your home waiting for your own remedies to take effect.

Frequently Asked Questions

You can find most carpenter ant nests in or around decaying wood in areas near chimneys, window sills, door frames, or sinks. These pests like to nest in structures that have already been damaged by other pests, so you’re likely to find their nest in rotten wood outside your property.

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Learn more about our contributor
Melissa Graham
Written by Melissa Graham
Contributing Writer
Melissa has spent over ten years writing about home design, style, and DIYs for regional and national publications.
Melissa has spent over ten years writing about home design, style, and DIYs for regional and national publications.
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