When it comes to pests, few insects are as bad to find as wood-destroying pests. While termites are more well-known, carpenter ants can be just as destructive and expensive to deal with. But, what are the signs that you have carpenter ants, and how can you tell them apart from other insects? Here’s what you need to know.

Common Signs of Carpenter Ants

At first, carpenter ants may just look like a normal ant. However, there are a few key indicators that you may be dealing with carpenter ants instead of a different type of insect. Wood damage is a really big sign that you’ve got an infestation, but that isn’t the only way you can spot an infestation. Here are some major signs that you have carpenter ants:

Wood Shavings: One of the most common signs of carpenter ant damage is the presence of sawdust-like material called frass. Carpenter ants excavate galleries in wood to build their nests, and they often push the wood debris out of the nest openings, leaving behind piles of fine sawdust.
Galleries and Tunnels: Inside infested wood, carpenter ants create elaborate tunnels and galleries for nesting. These tunnels may be smooth and clean, with a polished appearance.
Damaged Wood: Infested wood may appear weakened, with a hollow or hollowed-out sound when tapped. The wood may also show signs of moisture damage or decay, as carpenter ants prefer damp or decaying wood for nesting.
Piles of Wood Debris: Besides frass, you may also find piles of wood debris or debris mixed with dead insect parts near the openings of carpenter ant nests. This debris can accumulate around the base of infested trees or near window sills, door frames, or other wooden structures.
Structural Damage: If left unchecked, carpenter ant infestations can cause significant structural damage over time. They may weaken wooden beams, joists, and other load-bearing structures, potentially compromising the integrity of buildings or other wooden objects.

How to Tell Carpenter Ants Apart From Termites

It’s easy to mix up carpenter ants with termites. Thanks to their wood-tunneling habits and numerous physical similarities, it’s no wonder that many people get the two confused. If you want to tell whether you have carpenter ants, look for their key distinguishing characteristics:

Large size: Measuring up to 1.5 cm in some cases, carpenter ants are far larger than most other ant species. Most worker termites only reach an eighth of an inch when fully grown, so the size can help you tell the two apart.
Different size wings: Though both termites and carpenter ants have four sets long wings during their reproductive stage (also called swarmers), the wings of carpenter ants vary in size. Meanwhile, all four of the termite wings are equal size.
Narrow waist: Termites have very rectangular bodies that don’t vary much in width. Carpenter ants, on the other hand, have distinctly thin segments between each part of their body, resulting in a very thin-looking waist.
Eating habits: Both termites and carpenter ants are known for chewing into wood. However, while termites actually consume the wood, carpenter ants just chew through it to build a nest. The ants push out the “sawdust” and instead feed on insects or nectar.

Are Carpenter Ants As Bad As Termites?

Termites are considered one of the most destructive pests in the United States, and they are estimated to cost homeowners across the country over $5 billion in repairs each year. While carpenter ants aren’t known for being quite as destructive, they still aren’t good news to find around your home or business.

These insects bore into damp wood, which they use to build a nest. Over time, their chewing habits can certainly cause a lot of damage. If you even think you have them crawling around your home or business, you shouldn’t wait to consult a licensed exterminator.

Get Rid of Carpenter Ants in Wisconsin

If you’ve found carpenter ants in your house in Wisconsin, it’s important to take quick action to prevent them from causing even more destruction. When it comes to potential wood damage, we recommend calling a professional rather than trying to tackle the problem on your own—mistakes or delays could lead to costly repairs, but a licensed exterminator will give you the protection you need.

The ant control experts at Batzner Pest Control can eliminate active infestations and set up preventative measures to stop future infestations. For a free ant control quote, contact us today!

Back to Ant Exterminators – Control – Removal