Carpenter ants can quietly damage timber structures. Although they do not eat wood, they chew through it to nest. Here’s how to spot carpenter ants early and protect your property. This post looks at seven signs of carpenter ants in any building.
One of the early signs of carpenter ants is hearing soft rustling sounds. These noises often come from inside walls or roof voids. Ants make them while tunnelling through wood. Although this may seem minor at first, over time it can indicate a large nest. We often find this in older timber-framed houses or wooden outbuildings.
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Flying ants indoors often alarm homeowners. However, they can be a vital clue. These winged carpenter ants emerge to start new colonies. They usually appear in spring or summer. Although they resemble termites, carpenter ants are larger with bent antennae. If you see several near windows, especially upstairs, this strongly suggests indoor nesting.
Carpenter ants leave behind tiny wood shavings known as frass. They push this out of tunnels they create. You may spot these near skirting boards, loft joists or shed floors. Frass can resemble sawdust or sand and is another sign of carpenter ants (although it can also be caused by boring beetles).
Carpenter ants carve galleries in timber with smooth inner walls. These are different from the rough tunnels made by beetles. If you find neat holes in softwood, especially around damp areas, carpenter ants may be inside. Garden offices, garages and barns are common targets due to humidity and untreated wood.
Eventually, carpenter ants can affect structural strength. Wooden beams, window frames or floors may begin to shift or sag. This happens as their tunnels expand. Although this takes time, the damage can be costly. Therefore, early action is always best.
Bathrooms and kitchens often provide water and warmth. Ants need these to survive. So, finding carpenter ants in damp areas is another clue. Although they forage, they nest nearby. You may see them under sinks or in wall cavities behind cupboards. Both commercial and domestic premises can be affected by carpenter ants
Unlike many insects, carpenter ants are nocturnal. You may not see them during the day. However, you might spot them after dark with a torch. They often form foraging trails from their nest to food sources.
We recommend dealing with the signs of carpenter ants quickly. They can cause serious problems in homes, schools and commercial buildings if left untreated. Our professional pest control team is here to assist you if you spot signs of carpenter ants. We can check if this is indeed the pest we need to deal with and then offer effective solutions.
You hear faint rustling in walls or ceilings
One of the early signs of carpenter ants is hearing soft rustling sounds. These noises often come from inside walls or roof voids. Ants make them while tunnelling through wood. Although this may seem minor at first, over time it can indicate a large nest. We often find this in older timber-framed houses or wooden outbuildings.
iYou see winged ants indoors
Flying ants indoors often alarm homeowners. However, they can be a vital clue. These winged carpenter ants emerge to start new colonies. They usually appear in spring or summer. Although they resemble termites, carpenter ants are larger with bent antennae. If you see several near windows, especially upstairs, this strongly suggests indoor nesting.
You find piles of fine sawdust
Carpenter ants leave behind tiny wood shavings known as frass. They push this out of tunnels they create. You may spot these near skirting boards, loft joists or shed floors. Frass can resemble sawdust or sand and is another sign of carpenter ants (although it can also be caused by boring beetles).
You spot smooth tunnels in wood
Carpenter ants carve galleries in timber with smooth inner walls. These are different from the rough tunnels made by beetles. If you find neat holes in softwood, especially around damp areas, carpenter ants may be inside. Garden offices, garages and barns are common targets due to humidity and untreated wood.
Wood begins to weaken or warp
Eventually, carpenter ants can affect structural strength. Wooden beams, window frames or floors may begin to shift or sag. This happens as their tunnels expand. Although this takes time, the damage can be costly. Therefore, early action is always best.
Carpenter ants appear in kitchens or bathrooms
Bathrooms and kitchens often provide water and warmth. Ants need these to survive. So, finding carpenter ants in damp areas is another clue. Although they forage, they nest nearby. You may see them under sinks or in wall cavities behind cupboards. Both commercial and domestic premises can be affected by carpenter ants
You notice activity at night
Unlike many insects, carpenter ants are nocturnal. You may not see them during the day. However, you might spot them after dark with a torch. They often form foraging trails from their nest to food sources.
We recommend dealing with the signs of carpenter ants quickly. They can cause serious problems in homes, schools and commercial buildings if left untreated. Our professional pest control team is here to assist you if you spot signs of carpenter ants. We can check if this is indeed the pest we need to deal with and then offer effective solutions.