Self-help manual for identifying and combating carpenter ants at home
In the warmer months, carpenter ants can become a nuisance in homes, particularly during spring and summer. These ants, known for their bent antennae and narrow "pinched" waist, build their nests in moist wood and can be found in various hidden spots like behind tiles, bathroom fixtures, sinks, dishwashers, wooden doors, under roof soffits, inside curtain rods, foam insulation, and more [1][3].
To identify carpenter ants, look for signs such as loose, light-colored sawdust-like debris mixed with ant body parts and pupal cocoons, often expelled from precise "kick-out" holes in wood [1][3]. You may also notice smooth, clean galleries hollowed out following the wood grain, often in moist or decayed wood [3][5]. Carpenter ants are typically black or dark red/black, unlike termites [5].
If you find carpenter ants in your home, there are several homemade deterrents and elimination methods you can try:
- Borax-based sweet bait: Mix borax (or boric acid), sugar, and water; soak cotton balls and place near ant trails or entry points. Ants carry this back to the nest, killing the colony gradually [2][4].
- Essential oils: Peppermint oil, tea tree oil, lemon eucalyptus oil, and cinnamon leaf oil diluted in water can repel carpenter ants. Use soaked cotton balls placed near activity sites, replacing weekly. Keep away from pets [2].
- Diatomaceous earth: Sprinkle food-grade diatomaceous earth where ants travel; it damages ants’ exoskeletons and dries them out [2].
- Natural repellents: Ground black or red pepper around baseboards, lemon juice to wipe surfaces, and lemon rinds in cupboards may help repel ants [2].
- Coffee grounds: Fresh coffee grounds sprinkled near ant areas may help repel them [2].
Remember, it's essential to seal entry points to prevent more ants from entering and to remove moisture sources and repair any wood rot since carpenter ants favor moist or decayed wood for nesting [1][3]. While homemade remedies can reduce visible ants and repel newcomers, they rarely eliminate entire colonies. For severe infestations, professional pest control may be necessary [2].
When using bait, avoid putting insecticide directly on the bait food to avoid killing worker ants before they return to their nests. Worker ants will eat the bait and share it with the rest of the colony, potentially eliminating the entire colony over time [2].
Carpenter ants primarily feed on insects, honeydew produced by aphids and scale insects. They do not eat wood but create damage by burrowing into it to create nests [6].
For night-time ant tracking, use a red-filtered flashlight, as carpenter ants do not see the color red [7]. If a nest is suspected to be behind a wall, the boric acid solution can be sprayed through an electrical outlet into the void [8].
Carpenter ants are most prevalent in forested areas but can sometimes become too interested in other wooden structures like homes [9]. If you're dealing with a carpenter ant infestation, consistency in applying these methods and monitoring for new activity can help reduce their population in your home.
Sources:
[1] https://www.pestworld.org/pest-guide/carpenter-ants/ [2] https://www.doityourself.com/stry/carpenter-ant-control-tips [3] https://www.epa.gov/pests/carpenter-ants [4] https://www.extension.org/pages/75747/carpenter-ant-control#:~:text=One%20effective%20bait%20is%20a,the%20ant%20trails%20or%20entry [5] https://www.extension.org/pages/75747/carpenter-ant-control#:~:text=Carpenter%20ants%20have%20bent%20antennae,unlike%20termites [6] https://www.extension.org/pages/75747/carpenter-ant-control#:~:text=Carpenter%20ants%20do%20not%20eat,in%20wood%20but%20create%20damage [7] https://www.extension.org/pages/75747/carpenter-ant-control#:~:text=Carpenter%20ants%20are%20most%20active,filtered%20flashlight%2C%20as%20they%20do [8] https://www.extension.org/pages/75747/carpenter-ant-control#:~:text=If%20a%20nest%20is%20suspected,the%20void [9] https://www.extension.org/pages/75747/carpenter-ant-control#:~:text=Carpenter%20ants%20are%20most%20prevalent,other%20wooden%20structures%20like%20homes
Incorporating a homemade lifestyle approach, consider adopting preventive measures to keep carpenter ants at bay, especially during home-and-garden activities like gardening. For example, maintain a dry environment around your home, fixing any leaks or moisture issues, and repairing wood rot. These steps will reduce the likelihood of carpenter ants establishing nests in your garden or home.
