How to Get Rid of Carpenter Ants

Carpenter ants tunnel through your walls, destroying the wood structure and often leave behind wood shavings that look like sawdust. They are very destructive and must be treated. Following the correct procedures will get rid of your carpenter ants and give you peace of mind.

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Screwdriver
• Honey
• Drill with 1/8 inch drill bit
• Boric acid

1. Identify the carpenter ants. Carpenter ants are curiously large and dark in color. You may also find swarms of winged carpenter ants. The insects are larger than termites and they have two pairs of wings and bent antennas.

2. Know where to look for carpenter ants. They prefer nesting in moist wood, so they are often found around sinks, bathtubs, poorly sealed windows or roof leaks.

3. Locate hidden nests. Leave honey out where you are seeing the ants. Watch as they eat the honey and then travel back into your home structure. Watch where they go, and tap along baseboards and walls with the end of a screwdriver while listening for a hollow sound. If a nest is close by, you can also hear the ants scurrying when you tap.

4. Destroy the carpenter ant nests. Drill a series of 1/8 inch holes into the wall where you suspect the nest lies. Puff boric acid into the holes. Boric acid can be found at local hardware stores. Drill and treat at least three feet on either side of where you hear the nest.

5. Call a pest control professional if you are still seeing carpenter ants after a few days.

Tips & Warnings

• Correct any leaks that may be attracting carpenter ants.

• There are probably several colonies around your home. Don't be satisfied with treating just one colony.

• Observe carpenter ants in the evening when they are most active.

• Carpenter ant nests may also be found outside in fences, wood posts or trees.