Carpenter Ant Damage

Carpenter ants are large ants that like to nest in soft, damp wood. Unlike many types of ant, carpenter ants don't invade kitchens and bathrooms. They also don't usually bite people like fire ants or other common ants. However, carpenter ants tunnel through the wood in your house, leaving sawdust and structural damage behind. Carpenter ant damage isn't always easy to spot, but here are a few tips for finding and fixing it.

One great resource for fixing carpenter ant damage is the web. Many insect control professionals are on the web, and you can read about other people's experiences before you decide who to contact. If your house is already damaged, you can contact a professional who specializes in repair of termite or carpenter ant damage.

Signs of Carpenter Ant Damage

Carpenter ants are shy, so you might not see them at all. Even if you do see them, you might see only a couple. These ants live in soft wood which might include the support beams of your house. They're probably behind the walls, so again, they might be hard to spot. The most common sign of carpenter ants is the presence of small wood shavings called frass. These wood shavings look like sawdust or broken up pencil shavings. They are the bits of wood the ants have chewed out of the wood in your house, and they pile up near the carpenter ant nest. That means they'll be close to the carpenter ant damage. Frass is the most common sign of carpenter ants.

If you have severe carpenter ant damage, you might notice what looks like rotting wood in accessible places like the attic. This is wood riddled with holes, a bit like a honeycomb. Again, you're sure to spot sawdust nearby. This serious damage will require professional help if it has occurred in a support beam for your house. Carpenter ants like to nest in moist, warm places, so this might be a clue when you're looking for nests.

Fixing carpenter ant damage can be difficult. If you have a bad carpenter and problem, you'll probably need to have a professional evaluate whether you have serious structural damage. The damage carpenter ants cause can be similar to termite damage. First, make sure you've gotten rid of the carpenter ants. Then make sure your house doesn't need any repairs.

Carpenter ant damage can be spotted and fixed. The sooner you notice something wrong, the easier it will be, so make sure your house is taken care of! Best of luck!