Carpenter ants build their nests in moist wood, both in the wild and in buildings.

Carpenter ant colonies are proportional in size to the wood structure they inhabit.

Carpenter ants don’t eat wood – they chew through it to dig out chambers, leaving behind sawdust-like piles.

Carpenter ants go dormant during the colder months but can stay active in winter if their nest is near a warm area.

Outdoors, carpenter ants prefer to nest in rotting wood such as tree stumps. In buildings, they are attracted to damp wood areas, such as wall voids, cabinets, baseboards and window frames. They can also inhabit untreated polystyrene or fiberglass insulation.

Carpenter ants seek out food up to 100 meters or more from their nest. They prefer sugary, fatty or salty foods, and can also feed on other insects. They can enter your home through cracks and crevices in foundations, around windows, and under doors.

Carpenter ants are generally not a threat to human health, although their powerful mandibles can cause a painful bite. Some people will have a reaction to their bites, but in most cases it will be mild. Fortunately, carpenter ants rarely bite people.

The biggest threat carpenter ants pose is to the structure of a building. Although it will take time for them to cause significant damage, if left unchecked carpenter ants can weaken structures as their chew their way through wood and other materials.

If you notice carpenter ants in your home or business, call us right away. We’ll determine the extent of the infestation and remove it thoroughly.