Carpenter ants may not sting like wasps or carry diseases like cockroaches, but don’t let their quiet reputation fool you. These wood-destroying insects can cause serious damage to your home, often before you even realize they’re there. Unlike termites that actually eat wood, carpenter ants excavate it to build nests—weakening your structure over time.
Let’s uncover six telltale signs of a carpenter ant infestation—before the damage becomes irreversible.
1. Rustling Sounds Inside Walls
If you hear faint crinkling or rustling noises in the walls—especially at night—it could be the sound of carpenter ants tunneling through wood. They’re nocturnal and often more active when your home is quiet. Dismissing these sounds as “just the house settling” can cost you in the long run.
2. Sawdust-like Shavings (Frass)
One of the most distinct indicators of carpenter ant activity is the presence of small piles of sawdust, often found below wooden beams, baseboards, or window sills. Unlike termites, carpenter ants don’t consume the wood—they discard it. If you see this frass along with body parts of dead ants, it’s time to act.
3. Large, Winged Ants Indoors
Spotting large, winged ants inside your home, especially in the spring, is a major red flag. These swarmers are reproductive ants leaving their nest to start new colonies. If they’re coming from inside your home, it likely means there’s an established nest already doing damage behind your walls.
4. Hollow-sounding Wood
Tap along wooden walls, beams, or trim. If any of it sounds hollow or papery, carpenter ants may have excavated tunnels inside. This damage can weaken the structural integrity of your home, particularly if the infestation goes unnoticed for months—or worse, years.
5. Ant Trails or Activity at Night
Carpenter ants usually emerge after dusk to forage for food and water. If you notice ant activity in your kitchen or bathroom at night—especially if the ants are unusually large and move in a line—they could be coming from a nest inside your home.
6. Moisture-damaged Wood
Carpenter ants prefer damp, decaying wood as it’s easier to tunnel through. If your home has experienced leaks, poor ventilation, or past water damage, those areas become prime real estate for nesting ants. Always investigate further if you find ants near damaged wood.
What to Do if You Spot These Signs
Identifying these symptoms early can save you thousands in repairs. Clements Pest Control can locate nests (often hidden in insulation, hollow doors, or attics) and eliminate the infestation at its source.
Final Thoughts
Carpenter ants may be nature’s builders, but in your home—they’re destructive invaders. By staying alert to these six warning signs, you can catch an infestation before it spirals out of control. Don’t wait for visible damage to take action. When it comes to carpenter ants, prevention and early detection are key.