Spotting a few ants in your home can be a nuisance, but it’s manageable. However, when carpenter ants show up, they're drawn to wood, turning your home into a chew toy. To make matters worse, they also bite.
If you're having trouble due to this little creature and prompting your search on how to get rid of carpenter ants, we will administer you with all the easy techniques to get rid of them!
1. Set Ant Baits
Regular ant bait is less likely to be effective when it comes to carpenter ants. So look for baits that are specially designed for carpenter ants. Look for the one that has the active ingredient Thiamethoxam, (010%). Place the baits where you have seen the ants frequently.
Ants that feed on the gel will return to their nest and transfer the bait to the queen and their young, thereby killing the queen, the young, and the entire colony. If applied correctly, this method will get rid of an entire carpenter ant population in three days.
Pyrethrin, although technically a pesticide, is a popular choice among environmentally conscious homeowners to get rid of carpenter ants. It is because it is derived from a natural substance from chrysanthemum flowers.
This compound works by stimulating the nervous system of carpenter ants, leading to paralysis and eventual death. It is highly effective against various insects and is favored by many organic gardeners. To use pyrethrin, all you need to do is simply locate the nest, drill holes, and inject the spray directly into the colony.
3. Apply Insecticidal Dust
This method is most effective when you can easily access the nest and directly administer carpenter ant dust to the queen and the entire colony. Start by purchasing carpenter ant dust, then drill holes in your wall 3 to 6 feet on either side of where you've noticed ants entering.
Use a bulb duster to blow the dust into the holes, ensuring it coats the ants. As the ants walk through the dust, they will carry the pesticide back to the nest. Once you've applied the dust, seal the holes.
4. Use Borax-sugar Baits
Using borax and sugar baits is a popular method for controlling carpenter ants effectively. Borax, a mineral compound, acts as a slow-acting poison when ingested by ants. Mixing borax with sugar attracts ants to the bait, which they carry back to their colonies.
Once consumed, borax interferes with their digestive systems, eventually causing them to perish. This method provides a non-toxic way to manage carpenter ant infestations by targeting the colony directly. Meanwhile, ensure that pets and children cannot access it easily.
Diatomaceous earth is a natural substance that eliminates carpenter ants by dehydrating them. It is an effective insecticide for carpenter ants as it breaks down their tough exoskeletons. Unlike other desiccant products, diatomaceous earth is a completely organic pesticide that can be purchased and used at home.
Handle this product with care because inhaling the dust can damage your lungs. Although it is safe for pets and children, caution is still advised. The application process is similar to that of insecticidal dust.
6. Pour Hot Water
Boiling water can be a highly effective way to target carpenter ants nests without resorting to harmful pesticides or insecticides. To use this method, start by trailing the ants at night since they are nocturnal.
Once you locate the nests, bring a substantial amount of water to a rolling boil. Once the water is boiling, carefully pour it directly into the entrance of the ant nest. The heat from the boiling water eliminates ants on contact, making it a quick fix for nests and trails.
7. Use Vinegar Solution
Using a vinegar solution is a natural and effective way to get rid of carpenter ants in your home because vinegar's strong scent makes a perfect DIY ant repellent. All you need is some white vinegar, water, and a spray bottle.
Ants usually follow a scent trail left by other ants. Wipe down the areas where you've seen the ants with a sponge or cloth soaked in the vinegar solution. Reapply the vinegar solution daily or as needed until the ants are gone.
Cinnamon, whether in-ground or oil form, is an effective natural deterrent for ants because it disrupts their pheromone trails, which they use for navigation and communication.
To use cinnamon against ants, sprinkle ground cinnamon around entry points creating a barrier that ants won't cross. Applying cinnamon directly to ant nests can also help. This method not only helps prevent carpenter ants, from entering your home but also confuses and deters those already inside.
9. Use Soap and Water
While soap and water are perfect for keeping your body clean, they have a far more sinister effect on carpenter ants. A simple yet effective solution involves mixing one part of natural dish soap with two parts of water in a spray bottle.
When applied, this mixture not only kills the ants but also disrupts their pheromone trails, making it harder for them to find their way back. This method is versatile and suitable for both indoors and outdoor use.
10. Essential Oils
You can create a natural ant repellent using essential oils like peppermint, tea tree, or eucalyptus. Simply mix a few drops of your chosen oil with water to create a solution. Then, spray this mixture around entry points, along ant trails, and mainly on your wooden furnitures.
The strong, aromatic scent of these essential oils disrupts the carpenter ants' ability to communicate and navigate, effectively deterring them from entering your home or garden.
To keep carpenter ants out of your home, consider placing bay leaves in cabinets, pantry shelves, or other areas where you've spotted them. The strong scent of bay leaves acts as a natural deterrent, making these spaces less appealing to ants and counteracting their attraction.
By strategically placing bay leaves in these locations, you can effectively repel ants. Think of it as giving ants a taste of their own medicine: if they’re going to be picky about where they hang out, so should you!
12. Create Pesticidal Barrier
To create a pesticidal barrier around your house and bid farewell to the carpenter ants, start by thoroughly inspecting the perimeter for any nests or entry points. Next, apply a residual insecticide around the foundation, focusing on areas where ants might enter.
Use a pesticide labeled for carpenter ants. Pay special attention to the base of walls, around windows, and doors. For added effectiveness, consider using a combination of baits and sprays. Reapply as needed, and soon you’ll be the proud owner of an ant-free fortress
13. Remove Food Supplies
Although they are given the name as carpenter ants, they don’t eat wood. For food they prefer honeydew along with jelly, and cookies and will feed on nearly any food.
Carpenter ants need food to exist so keeping the fundamental requirements away from them is the most effective strategy to stop carpenter ants from infesting your property. Make sure there are no crumbs on the floors or countertops and clean up any spills, especially those involving sugar
Inspecting your home for leaks is mandatory when it comes to carpenter ants as they are drawn to damp wood. Start by checking for any leaky faucets, pipes, or appliances that might be contributing to excess moisture.
If you find any wood that has been severely water-damaged, such as rotting or soft spots, replace it immediately. In addition to interior checks, examine the exterior of your home as well. Look for leaks in the roof, damaged shingles, or clogged gutters that could be causing water to seep into the structure.
15. Draw Chalk Lines
While decorating your walls and furniture with chalk may not be the most stylish choice, using chalk lines can be an effective method for disrupting ant scent trails. Ants use pheromone trails to navigate and communicate, making it easy for them to follow established paths.
Drawing chalk lines around these areas can disrupt their trails because the calcium carbonate in chalk interferes with the ants' ability to detect and follow their scent markers. To maintain effectiveness, it's important to regularly reapply the chalk as it can wear off over time.
16. Use Neem oil
Use organic insecticides such as neem oil to repel carpenter ants easily. Neem oil works by interrupting the feeding and reproductive cycles of the ants by disrupting the development of the ants and causing them to die from starvation.
For best results, you can mix neem oil with water and apply it to areas where you've noticed carpenter ants or from where they might be entering your home.
17. Use Flame
Flame, as the name suggests is the use of fire. Burning a nest to get rid of carpenter ants can be an effective method, but it requires severe caution. Carpenter ants typically build their nests in wood, so the idea is to use fire to destroy their habitat.
So if you are thinking about burning their nest, only do it if the nest of carpenter ants is out of your home. For indoors rather stick on other alternatives to get rid of carpenter ants easily.
Begin by conducting a thorough inspection of your home, paying close attention to tiny cracks and gaps around windows, doors, and the foundation.
These sneaky entry points are like VIP lanes for ants seeking a new hangout spot in your cozy abode. Grab your trusty caulk gun and weatherstripping materials. Seal off these access points with precision, leaving no gap unchecked. Think of it as giving your home a protective shield against unwanted and intrusions.
19. Limit Nesting Opportunities
To limit nesting opportunities for carpenter ants, start by eliminating any sources of moisture and decaying wood around your property, as these attract ants. Seal cracks and crevices in your home's foundation and walls to prevent them from entering.
Keep woodpiles and other potential nesting materials away from your home’s exterior. Regularly inspect and maintain wooden structures to ensure they’re in good condition.
20. Clean up your Home
Stray crumbs and leftover food can turn your kitchen into a five-star buffet for ants! Keeping your kitchen tidy is key to preventing these persistent pests from making themselves at home.
Sweeping the floors regularly also helps eliminate any temptations for carpenter ants down below. And don't forget about the trash, securely tie up your rubbish and take it out regularly to prevent ants from exploring for leftovers.
Prevent Carpenter Ants
Carpenter ants are attracted to damp wood, so preventing them involves addressing moisture issues. Remove old woodpiles, dead stumps, and fix any leaks in plumbing or roofing. Seal cracks and crevices with caulk, and trim brush away from the house.
Regularly spray your foundation with products like Phantom or Termidor and use diatomaceous earth around the perimeter to disrupt ant trails. Spring is an ideal time for these preventive measures.
Carpenter ants (Camponotus spp.) are sizable ants found in many wooded regions globally. They create nests within wood by excavating galleries with their mandibles, typically in dead, damp wood.
Unlike termites, carpenter ants don't eat the wood; instead, they discard a substance similar to sawdust outside their nests.
Identify Carpenter Ants
Carpenter ants have a few key features that set them apart, even though their color can vary. They have a smooth, rounded back, a narrow, pinched waist, and a small hump on their back. You might need a magnifying glass to see these details clearly.
These ants are usually about 3/8 inch long but can be as short as 1/4 inch or as long as 1 inch. They are among the bigger ants, but just being big isn't enough to identify them since other ants can be similar in size.
Carpenter ants aren't a big health risk since they don't spread diseases and their bites, while painful, the bites aren't dangerous and don't happen often.
The real problem with carpenter ants is that they can seriously damage your home. They dig into wood to build their nests, and if they get inside your walls and stay hidden, they can cause a lot of damage. So, regular inspection is mandatory to prevent carpenter ants and if required you can also seek professional help.
