How to Get Rid of Carpenter Ants—and Keep Them Gone for Good

Target hidden nests, seal entry points, and tackle moisture issues for a pest-free home.

By Medha deb

Created on Sep 25, 2025

Target hidden nests, seal entry points, and tackle moisture issues for a pest-free home.

Carpenter ants are notorious for invading homes and causing costly structural damage. Unlike termites, they do not actually eat wood but do excavate elaborate galleries inside it to create nesting spaces. Early identification, proactive elimination strategies, and long-term prevention are crucial to tackling a carpenter ant infestation. This guide details expert-backed methods, preventive strategies, and professional solutions to keep these destructive pests from coming back.

Understanding Carpenter Ants

Carpenter ants (genus Camponotus) are among the largest ants found in homes. They’re typically black but can range in color depending on the species. These ants often invade damp, decaying, or water-damaged wood to establish their nests, but they can also tunnel into seemingly sound structures if moisture is present.

Habitat: Prefer wood softened by moisture, often entering via leaks or wood in contact with soil or vegetation.
Diet: Carpenter ants do not eat wood. They feed on protein and sugar sources, including honeydew produced by aphids and household food scraps.
Activity: Most carpenter ants are nocturnal. You may notice them foraging at night or see small piles of wood shavings near their nesting sites.

Signs of a Carpenter Ant Infestation

Detecting carpenter ants early can prevent extensive structural damage. Look for these indicators:

Presence of large, black ants indoors—especially in kitchens, bathrooms, and damp areas.
Piles of wood shavings or frass (sawdust)—a byproduct of their tunneling activity.
Rustling or faint cracking sounds within walls, particularly at night when ants are active.
Ant trails along baseboards, window sills, or foundation cracks.
Winged ants (swarmers) emerging in spring or summer, signaling a mature colony.

Step-by-Step: How to Get Rid of Carpenter Ants

1. Locate the Nest

The first and most critical step in eradicating carpenter ants is finding their colony:

Follow visible ant trails—the foragers will lead you back to entry points or nesting sites.
Listen for faint rustling sounds in wood, especially with the aid of a stethoscope at night.
Inspect damp or decaying wood near bathrooms, kitchens, basements, or where leaks occur.
Note any piles of wood shavings beneath or beside wall voids and baseboards.

2. Targeted Treatment Methods

Once you have pinpointed the nest or nests (carpenter ants often have multiple satellite colonies), use the following approaches:

Baiting: Place poisoned bait stations along active trails for ants to transport back to the colony. Choose slow-acting baits, as instant-kill baits prevent ants from sharing poison within the nest.
Pro tip: Alternate between sweet and protein-based baits if ants lose interest.
Insecticidal Dust: Apply boric acid or a pyrethroid-based dust into wall voids, cracks, or directly inside wood galleries. This method is best once the main nest has been located.
Desiccants: Sprinkle food-grade diatomaceous earth in crawlspaces and crevices—this dries out ants and is safer for homes with pets and children.
Professional-Grade Sprays: Use non-repellent insecticides to avoid scattering ants and causing the colony to split, which can worsen the infestation.
Natural Solutions: Apply soapy water to wipe away foragers, or use vinegar as a repellent, but only after the colony is eliminated to prevent ants from relocating deeper into the structure.

Important: Do not spray visible ants with contact insecticides immediately—killing only visible ants will not affect the hidden colony and may cause ants to split and form more nests.

3. Physical and Mechanical Removal

Vacuum up visible ants, nests, and wood debris for quick removal.
Use a dehumidifier to dry out damp areas such as crawl spaces and basements to discourage further nesting.
Repair and replace any decaying or moisture-damaged wood.
If possible, prune shade trees and vegetation that touch your home and remove landscape timbers or stumps adjacent to buildings.

4. When to Call a Professional

Severe or persistent infestations may require expert intervention. Licensed pest control specialists have access to more potent insecticides, can perform structural inspections, and provide perimeter treatments that prevent reinfestation.

How to Prevent Carpenter Ants from Coming Back

Elimination is only half the battle. To prevent carpenter ants from returning, practice vigilant home maintenance and exclusion techniques:

Seal Entry Points: Use caulk to plug all cracks and gaps in foundations, around pipes, utility lines, doors, and window frames.
Control Moisture: Repair plumbing leaks, ensure gutters and downspouts are functioning, and correct grading around the foundation to direct water away from the house.
Remove Debris and Clutter: Keep firewood, lumber, mulch, and vegetation off the ground and at least 15–20 feet from the home. Reduce indoor clutter that could hide ants.
Maintain Food Hygiene: Store pantry goods in airtight containers. Wipe up crumbs and spills promptly. Wash dishes and sweep floors daily.
Trim Trees and Bushes: Prune branches that overhang or touch your house, as these serve as bridges for ants.
Regular Inspections: Routinely check for leaks, soft wood, or moist areas—especially in basements, crawl spaces, and around windows.

DIY vs. Professional Solutions: What Works Best?

Method	Efficacy	Safety	Recommended For
Sealing & Repair	Very High	Very Safe	All infestations/prevention
DIY Baiting & Dusts	High for small infestations	Moderately Safe (handle with care)	Local or early stage infestations
Diatomaceous Earth	Moderate	Very Safe	Homes with pets or children
Professional Treatment	Very High	Moderate (licensed applicators)	Severe or hidden infestations

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Carpenter Ants

How can I prevent carpenter ants from getting into my home?

Maintain a dry environment by fixing leaks, sealing cracks, and reducing clutter inside and outside the home. Store food in airtight containers and trim back any vegetation or tree limbs that touch the house.

What’s the difference between termite and carpenter ant damage?

Termites eat wood and leave behind mud-like waste and rough tunnels, whereas carpenter ants only excavate smooth, polished galleries in wood and leave behind sawdust-like shavings.

Do carpenter ants eat the wood they tunnel through?

No. They excavate wood to build nests but feed mainly on sweets (honeydew from aphids) and proteins.

Can I get rid of carpenter ants permanently?

Permanent eradication is possible with thorough elimination of all colonies, correction of moisture issues, and ongoing maintenance to prevent new infestations.

How much does it cost to hire a professional for carpenter ant removal?

The average cost for a one-time professional treatment ranges from $300 to $500, varying with the size of the property and severity of infestation.

Pro Tips for Lasting Carpenter Ant Control

Inspect your home’s perimeter every few months for entry points, leaks, or developing nests.
Switch up bait types if ants appear to ignore your traps—protein and sugar phases alternate over the season.
Keep mulch and soil well-drained around the foundation to reduce excessive moisture.
Act quickly on any signs of recurring activity to prevent re-establishment of colonies.
If DIY treatments fail within several weeks, call a professional before the problem worsens.

Summary Checklist: Carpenter Ant Elimination and Prevention

Find and treat the nest(s) directly—don’t focus only on foragers.
Use slow-acting bait and targeted insecticidal dust for best results.
Replace rotted, moisture-damaged wood to address root causes.
Keep your home clean, dry, and clutter-free year-round.
Prune vegetation and remove all wood debris near the home.

When to Seek Professional Pest Control

If an infestation persists despite your best efforts, or if you cannot access the main nest, consider hiring a licensed pest control expert. Professionals can identify hidden colonies, deploy advanced treatments safely, and offer comprehensive recommendations to safeguard your property for the future.

References

Author

medha deb

Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts.

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