Carpenter Ants

Ants are a common nuisance in Georgia homes, especially during spring and summer, but some species can be much more troublesome than others. Carpenter ants are among the most problematic, capable of causing minor cosmetic damage or more serious damage to wood in your home or business.

Do you know how to tell them apart from other ants? How can you prevent an infestation or handle one if it happens? Bizzy Bee Exterminators has the expert information to help you understand and manage these wood-damaging pests.

What Are Carpenter Ants?

Carpenter ants are large ants that build their nests and tunnels inside wood. They frequently infest structures, and when they do, they can cause substantial damage.

Carpenter Ant  Identification

Size & Appearance

• About ⅝” long
• Black, red, or a combination of the two colors
• Two antennae
• Six legs
• Segmented bodies

Behavior & Habits

• Excavate wood to create tunnels and nests inside
• Feed on insects, honeydew, and other sweet and protein-rich foods
• Forage for food up to 300 feet from their nest
• Primarily nocturnal
• Prefer water-damaged wood to build their tunnels

Signs of Infestation

• Small holes in exposed wood
• Small piles of sawdust (also called frass) and debris near exposed wood
• Rustling sounds in your walls
• Seeing large ants or winged ants
• Wood that sounds hollow when knocked on

Why Carpenter Ants Are A Problem

Carpenter ants are not a major concern for your health. They can bite, but rarely do. You might feel a little pain if bitten, but the bite shouldn’t cause serious harm.

The big problem with carpenter ants is their destruction of the buildings they infest. When they enter homes and businesses, they chew tunnels through the wood that holds your structure up. Over time, these tunnels can become extensive, causing structural elements of your building to weaken. 

Carpenter Ants vs Termites

Carpenter ants are often mistaken for termites, and it’s easy to see why—they can look and act similar. But there are some key differences:

Appearance:‍

• Flying carpenter ants: Pinched waist, elbowed antennae, wings of unequal length.
• Termites (reproductive): Wide waist, straight antennae, wings of equal length.
• Both have six legs, two sets of wings, and a similar size and color.

Behavior:‍

• Carpenter ants: Tunnel through wood but don’t eat it; often seen above ground. Build smooth tunnels.
• Termites: Eat wood as their primary food source; mostly underground except when swarming. Build rough, textured tunnels.

Where Carpenter Ants Nest

Outdoors

• Rotting fence posts
• Tree stumps
• Rotting or dead trees
• Old firewood
• Under rocks

Indoors

• Wood beams
• Window and door frames
• Structural wood
• Wall voids

How to Prevent Carpenter Ant Infestations

By being proactive and implementing the following suggestions, you can make your property less appealing to carpenter ants.

• Eliminate excess moisture inside and outside
• Repair or replace water-damaged wood
• Store firewood off the ground and away from your house
• Remove dead trees from your property
• Cut back tree branches that touch the sides or roof of your house
• Seal cracks and other openings 

How to Get Rid of Carpenter Ants

Whether you’ve already taken steps to prevent carpenter ants or haven’t had the chance yet, discovering these destructive pests in your home or business is serious. Ignoring them isn’t an option; the longer they remain, the more damage they can cause, and the larger their colony will grow.

The best course of action is to contact a professional pest control company like Bizzy Bee Exterminators. Our experts will eliminate the carpenter ants in your property and provide ongoing treatments to help ensure they don’t come back.

FAQs About Carpenter Ants

Are carpenter ants dangerous?

Carpenter ants are not usually a health risk. The greater issue with carpenter ants is their ability to damage your home or business. These pests chew through wood, building tunnels and galleries inside wooden structures. Over time, they can weaken support structures, making your building unsafe.

Can I get rid of carpenter ants myself?

DIY methods rarely eliminate the entire colony. Professional pest control is the most reliable way to remove carpenter ants and prevent them from returning.

Why am I seeing carpenter ants in my house?

If you suddenly start seeing carpenter ants in your house, there are a couple of possibilities. The first is that they are foraging for food. The second is that they are already nesting in your home. Either way, contact a professional pest control company when you notice carpenter ants in your house. Any sighting means a nest is nearby, making an infestation possible and likely.

Contact Our Local Pros for Proven Carpenter Ant Control

At the first signs of carpenter ants, contact Bizzy Bee Exterminators. We offer effective, local pest control backed by over 50 years of local experience. Contact us, and we’ll help you get on your way to a home or business free of carpenter ants.