subject: How to Identify a Carpenter Ant Infestation [print this page] How to Identify a Carpenter Ant Infestation
The carpenter ant is the most common pest ant found in the Northern US. In their natural habitat, carpenter ants are very beneficial creatures. They also seek out moist wood to build their nests in (wet wood is easier to chew through than dry!) and as they do this, they help get rid of rotten wood, decomposing fallen trees and rotten old stumps.
However, when a colony of carpenter ants makes its way onto your turf you'll find them much less helpful. These ants aren't selective about where they take up residence, as long as there's a close source of moisture: stumps, fence posts, hollow doors, behind baseboards, window frames, basements, attics and so on and so forth. A large infestation of carpenter ants left untreated can cause serious structural damage as they tunnel through wood growing their nest.
It's more difficult to identify a carpenter ant by sight than it is by its tell-tale behavior. Carpenter ant colonies thrive in warm, damp weather. If you see a frass' pile; a pile of excavated wood particles, and notice worker ants nearby, there's a good chance that you have a carpenter ant infestation.
The first thing you'll want to do if you have carpenter ants is to find their nest. Check any areas where you suspect there is moisture for signs of frass or worker ants. They are most active at night, foraging for food, so grab a flashlight and follow the ants to their nest.
When you've found the nest, you can destroy the colony effectively without chemicals by applying a natural ant bait containing boron compounds. Borate is a naturally occurring element of the earth and when ants eat it their ability to digest food is disrupted. Ants carry the bait back to the nest where it is ingested by the queen, destroying the entire colony.
To prevent future infestations, eliminate moist conditions and isolate wood from direct contact with soil. Remove old logs and lumber from around your property and don't store firewood inside your house.
