In nature, carpenter ants prefer to nest in moist, decaying wood such as:

• Dead or dying trees

• Rotting logs and stumps

• Tree roots and buried wood

When infesting buildings, they commonly establish nests in:

• Water-damaged wood around windows, doors, and roof lines

• Wall voids, especially near water sources

• Areas with high moisture such as bathrooms and kitchens

• Hollow doors or window frames

Carpenter ants establish both parent colonies (containing the queen, workers, and brood) and satellite colonies, which is why pest control Coquitlam professionals use specialized techniques to locate all nests.

Carpenter ant colonies can grow remarkably large:

• Mature colonies typically contain 3,000-15,000 worker ants

Some species develop super-colonies containing up to 100,000 individual ants

• Generally, only 10-15% of workers are outside the nest foraging at any given time

Given their potential colony size, it’s easy to understand why professional pest control Kelowna services are often necessary for effective elimination.

Carpenter ants cannot sting, but they can inflict painful “bites” with their powerful mandibles

. What people experience isn’t technically a bite but rather:

• A pinch from their strong jaws that can break skin

• A burning sensation caused by formic acid they spray into the wound

• Generally less painful than a bee sting but still uncomfortable

If you’re experiencing carpenter ant bites, ant pest control North Vancouver professionals can help eliminate the colony.

While carpenter ants don’t pose significant health threats to humans, they can cause substantial property damage:

• They excavate extensive galleries in wood, weakening structural integrity

• Large colonies can cause significant damage to homes over time

• They’re particularly destructive to water-damaged or decaying wood

• Unlike termites, they don’t eat wood but discard sawdust-like material (frass) outside nest entrances

Most pest control Richmond experts consider carpenter ants more of a property threat than a health hazard.

Carpenter ants are omnivorous foragers with a diverse diet:

• Protein sources: Insects (including termites), insect parts, and other small invertebrates

• Sweets: Honeydew from aphids, nectar, fruit juices, and tree sap

• In homes: Sweet foods, meats, pet food, and other human food items

Interestingly, carpenter ants “farm” aphids, protecting them from predators in exchange for the sweet honeydew the aphids produce

Not all carpenter ants have wings, but reproductive members of the colony (alates) develop wings during certain life stages:

• Worker ants (the most commonly seen) are wingless

• Reproductive males and new queens develop wings for mating flights

• After mating, queens shed their wings before establishing new colonies

The appearance of winged carpenter ants indoors often indicates an established colony within the structure.

Wings serve a specific purpose in carpenter ant reproduction:

• Reproductive ants (males and new queens) develop wings in mature colonies

• These winged ants, called alates or swarmers, emerge to mate in “nuptial flights”

• After mating, males die while females shed their wings and seek locations for new colonies

• The presence of winged carpenter ants inside is a strong indicator of an established indoor nest

If you notice winged ants in your home, contact pest control Burnaby professionals immediately.

Key signs of carpenter ant activity include:

• Sawdust-like material (frass) consisting of wood shavings, insect parts, and debris beneath wooden structures

• Small, smooth holes in wood surfaces (entrance/exit holes)

• Hollow-sounding wood when tapped

• Rustling sounds within walls or wooden structures

• Sightings of workers foraging, particularly at night

• Discarded wings near windows and doors (after swarming)

Early detection is crucial for minimizing damage, so contact ant pest control North Vancouver experts if you notice these signs.

Locating carpenter ant nests requires careful observation:

• Follow ant trails, especially at night when they’re most active

• Look for frass (wood shavings mixed with insect parts) beneath suspected areas

• Tap on wood and listen for hollow sounds or rustling responses

• Check areas with moisture issues or water damage

• Inspect common nesting sites: window frames, door frames, wall voids, roof eaves, and decks

Professional pest control Kelowna technicians use specialized tools and techniques to locate hidden nests.

Over-the-counter sprays are generally not recommended for carpenter ant control:

• Spraying visible ants often triggers “budding,” where the colony splits into multiple new colonies

• Surface sprays don’t reach the nest where the queen and majority of ants reside

• Improper application can scatter colonies, making the problem worse

• Many retail products only kill on contact without addressing the underlying infestation

For effective treatment, pest control Richmond professionals use targeted approaches rather than widespread spraying.

Effective carpenter ant elimination requires a multi-faceted approach:

• Professional inspection to locate all nests (parent and satellite colonies)

• Targeted treatment using residual insecticides and specialized baits

• Treatment of void spaces where colonies are located

• Addressing moisture issues that attract carpenter ants

• Follow-up inspections to ensure complete elimination

Exterminator Vancouver specialists use integrated pest management techniques that are both effective and environmentally responsible.

Preventing carpenter ant infestations involves several key practices:

• Eliminate moisture problems and repair water-damaged wood

• Trim tree branches and vegetation away from your home

• Seal cracks and crevices in your home’s foundation and exterior

• Store firewood elevated and away from structures

• Remove dead stumps and logs from your property

• Create a protective barrier using professional-grade products

For comprehensive prevention strategies, pest control Coquitlam professionals can provide customized recommendations for your property.