3 Signs of Carpenter Ant Infestation

February 22, 2023

Carpenter ants are large black or red ants that chew through wood, creating tunnels and nests inside walls, ceilings, and trim. They’re not a threat to humans, but they can damage the structural wood of homes, leading to severe damage and safety issues. Aside from seeing large ants throughout your home, here are some signs you may be dealing with this type of infestation. 


How to Tell If You Have Carpenter Ants

1. Tiny Holes in Woodwork

Carpenter ants create small holes in wood features as they explore and create their tunnels and nests. These initial holes are small, but they may be noticeable around doors, windows, trim, and structural wood elements. You’ll also likely notice tiny piles of sawdust under these holes, since ants don’t actually consume the wood but instead push it out of these holes. 


2. Rustling Sounds

As carpenter ants tunnel through the walls, they create subtle rustling noises. The sounds can be quite faint, but you may hear quiet scraping coming from inside your walls, ceilings, or structural beams. Rustling may also indicate other infestations like termites or small rodents, but paired with tiny holes and sawdust, there’s a good chance that carpenter ants are to blame. 


3. Wings

Flying ants are generally the members of a carpenter ant colony that reproduce. Some homeowners assume these are other types of bugs, but they usually indicate a carpenter ant infestation. Aside from seeing them flying, you may also notice small wings around wood beams or trim. The wings are usually transparent or light brown. 


If you’re dealing with carpenter ants at home, contact Target Pest Control in Rochester, NY. The pest control company offers a wide array of services, from bedbug treatment to mouse removal, so they can find the source of any strange noises or holes in your walls and remove the pests in question. Visit the website to see a full list of pest control services. To request service, call (585) 427-7175. 

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