Controlling Carpenter Ants

Carpenter ants are very common, and they are very difficult to control.

Filed under: Wood, Maintenance, Materials and Supplies

These ants are between a quarter and half-inch long; some have wings and some don't. Besides being unsightly, carpenter ants can cause major damage. As they nest, they hollow through wood. And damage can occur quickly as they compromise the structural integrity of the wood.

Our house detective in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, spotted the carpenter ants in the insulation, but their nest could have been anywhere wet wood was present, inside or outside the home. And once carpenter ants decide to make a meal of your house, it's very difficult to eliminate them. But there are some things you can do to make your home less appetizing:

Repair leaks immediately. Moisture inside or outside the house amounts to a dinner bell for carpenter ants.
Keep mulch, trees and firewood away from the foundation. These guys love wet wood.
And seal cracks and openings in the foundation that could allow carpenter ants to enter your home.

The only way to completely combat these critters is by eliminating their nest. For that, you will probably need to call in a pest control expert.