How to Get Rid of Carpenter Ants

Carpenter ants typically build nests in wood, so they are commonly found inside and around your home. Unlike termites, carpenter ants don't feed on wood but rather use it to build their nests. These ants can invade your home, crawling into your food and water sources. Learn how to handle carpenter ant infestations so they don't become a nuisance.

Make sure you're dealing with ants, not termites. Carpenter ants are large insects, typically black or dark brown, with three body segments and six legs. They have bent antennae. Carpenter ants do not have wings, though reproductive ants do. These ants often travel along long trails. In contrast, termites – a pest that can cause even more damage than carpenter ants – have straight antennae and lighter-colored bodies. If you want to eliminate termites, check out this article.

Look for carpenter ant frass. Carpenter ant frass looks like sawdust left behind when ants burrow through wood to build their nests. It contains some body parts and debris but typically resembles a pile of sawdust. If you spot this frass inside your home, it’s a clear sign you're dealing with an ant problem.

Check for signs of wood damage. The wood that carpenter ants tunnel through will have cracks or holes. You will often see frass scattered nearby. Carpenter ants like to build their nests in walls, hollow-core doors, cabinets, beams, and wooden frames. Look for damp wood, as carpenter ants prefer nesting in moist wood.

Place bait near suspected areas of infestation. To locate the ant nest, you’ll need to lure them out with bait and follow their trail back to the nest. Put a small amount of honey or a piece of sweet fruit near the area where you suspect the nest is located.

Follow the ants to the nest. Once the ants have taken the bait, follow them back to their nest. You'll see them marching to a spot on the wall, cabinet, or door. Keep observing until you're certain of the nest's location.

• If you can access the nest, you may let the colony destroy itself by following the next step.
• If the nest is deep and hard to reach, you'll need to use poison bait to eliminate the ants. It will take about 3 days to see results.

Use poison bait. This method is ideal if the nest is deep or inaccessible. You'll use poison bait to lure the ants out of their nest; they will carry the bait back to the colony, and within about 3 days, the entire ant colony will be poisoned. Buy carpenter ant gel bait and mix it with a tablespoon of sugar and a tablespoon of milk. Place some bait near where you suspect the ants are nesting. Wait for the ants to emerge and feed on the bait.

• Choosing a slow-acting bait is crucial. If the bait kills the ants before they return to the nest, thousands of other ants will return unharmed. You should choose a bait that takes effect after 3 days.
• Don’t spray insecticide on the trail of carpenter ants you see leaving the nest. It won’t affect the ants inside and could make them aware of the danger, prompting them to disperse and create multiple nests.
• If you have pets or small children, use ant bait inside tamper-proof containers for safety.

Eliminate the nest directly with insecticide. This method works when you can easily access the nest and apply insecticide directly to the queen and the entire colony. Buy carpenter ant insecticide and follow the instructions on the packaging to apply it to the nest.

• Diatomaceous earth is a natural, non-toxic powder that can be used to eliminate carpenter ants without leaving any harmful residues in the home.
• There are various insecticides available in Vietnam and internationally that are effective but may contain toxins, so be cautious around pets and children.

Try using boric acid bait.

• Purchase boric acid from a garden store.
• Mix powdered sugar with a 1:3 ratio of sugar to boric acid.
• Place the mixture in bottle caps. Set the bait in areas where you see ants.
• When the ants return to the nest, the bait will help kill the colony. Boric acid enters the ants' bodies and breaks down from the inside.

Clean your home to remove favorable conditions for carpenter ants. You need to thoroughly clean the floors, repair any leaking faucets that could moisten the wood, and declutter areas where ants might set up a nest.

Seal up gaps in your home. Use specialized products to seal the floor and any gaps around doors, windows, or any areas where ants might enter. Install mesh screens on windows and doors to prevent access.

Remove natural debris around your home. Trim tree branches so they don’t lead directly into your house. Clear away grass, leaves, firewood, and other natural debris from around the house, as these can serve as breeding grounds for ants.

Clean up food crumbs and fix any water leaks. Ants need food, protein, and water to survive. The best way to keep them from invading your home is to limit their access to these essentials. Keep floors and kitchen counters free of food scraps and wipe up spilled drinks, especially sugary ones. Repair any leaking faucets and make sure ants can't access any water sources inside the home.