Unlike termites, carpenter ants do not eat wood, but rather burrow through it to create tunnels. While they may cause moderate to serious damage, they are less destructive than termites and can usually be eliminated with non-toxic treatments. Carpenter ants typically nest in moist, soft wood such as old stumps, logs and rotting boards. They may also nest in weakened or hollowed out parts of your home, including frame joints, cracks in the foundation and gaps under doors.
The first step to eliminating an infestation is finding the nest. If you can locate the nest, a simple bait can be effective. Simply place small pieces of sweet food, such as honeydew melons or other fruits, in close proximity to the ant trail and follow the trail back to the colony. Repeat as necessary until the ants stop coming.
If the ants are indoors, you can try to trap them with boric acid. A stronger version of the powdered sugar used in ant bait, boric acid can be purchased from most garden centers. To use, mix it with powdered sugar and put the mixture into bottle caps. The ants will be attracted to the sugar but when they take it back to their nest, they will die of ingestion. This is a very effective method for getting rid of carpenter ants inside your home, but it does require that you have access to the actual nest location.
Another effective treatment for both outdoor and indoor infestations is a pyrethrin-based spray. Available in aerosol cans, these sprays can be sprayed directly into ant tunnels to kill the insects. Pyrethrins are considered to be among the least toxic of pesticides, but are still neurotoxins and should be used sparingly.
To keep ants away from your house, regularly clean up crumbs and spills. Make sure crumbs and other food particles are not under appliances or in cabinets. Bay leaves are also an excellent deterrent for ants and can be placed in cabinets or pantry shelves. It is also a good idea to wipe areas where the ants have been with a cloth dampened with a natural oil such as peppermint or lemon oil. This will remove their pheromone trails and prevent them from finding their way into your home.
While there are many DIY ways to get rid of Carpenter Ants Removal, it is often necessary to hire a professional for more extensive or persistent infestations. Professionals will likely employ several of the same strategies as homeowners, but they may also have access to professional-grade dusts and sprays that are unavailable to most people. These sprays, such as diatomaceous earth or silica gel, work by absorbing the insect’s waxy exterior and dehydrating them. They can be sprayed with a bulb duster behind electrical switch plates and in wall voids.
Other professional methods include drilling into the actual carpenter ant colony and using a foaming product that injects the pesticide directly into the insects. In addition to addressing the nest itself, some professionals may apply perimeter treatments around the home that contain residual pesticides that will kill any ants that stray into your home in the weeks and months afterward.