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Most people know about the dangers of termites and how they can cause significant damage to the wooden structures in a home, but there is another wood-damaging insect that you should be keeping your eye out for: carpenter ants! While carpenter ants are typically not quite as destructive as termites, they can still cause thousands of dollars in damages when they infest your home and tunnel through wooden doors, window frames, porches, joists, beams, and more. In this article, we’ll offer some tips on how you can identify, prevent, and control carpenter ant infestations! If you have any questions about carpenter ants or are a Massachusetts homeowner that would like a free estimate on a carpenter ant control service, please contact our team at Absolut Pest Control today by calling us at (978) 388-4589!

Carpenter Ant Identification

Spotting a carpenter ant isn’t too tough if you know what to look for. Carpenter ants tend to be larger than common black ants, usually measuring ½” to ⅝” long. Color-wise, they can range from jet black to a dark brownish red. What sets them apart from other ants, physically, are their smooth, rounded backs, which is unlike other ants that tend to have a more uneven silhouette.

If you notice a fine, sawdust-like material near wooden structures in your home, it can be a telltale sign of a carpenter ant infestation. They leave behind this debris, known as frass, as they tunnel through wood. If you’re noticing any signs of carpenter ants in your home, it’s important to contact a pest control professional as soon as possible!

Causes & Risks Of Carpenter Ant Infestations

Carpenter ants don’t need an invitation to enter your home. They work their way in through cracks and crevices around windows, doors, and electrical holes. These small insects also have an uncanny ability to crawl along tree limbs, shrubs, and even overhead wires, quickly making their way into your home. Some of the most common causes of carpenter ant infestations include:

• Moisture Problems: Areas with persistent moisture or water damage, such as leaky roofs, pipes, and damp basements, are prime real estate for carpenter ants.
• Old, Rotting Wood: If your home has old, decayed wood in structures, decks, or landscaping, it’s like rolling out the welcome mat for these pests.
• Cracks and Openings: Small openings around windows, doors, and foundation cracks provide perfect entry points for carpenter ant colonies.
• Nearby Vegetation: Overhanging tree branches or plants in contact with your home’s structure can serve as bridges for carpenter ants to enter your residence.
• Stored Firewood or Lumber: Stacks of firewood or lumber that are kept close to your home can harbor carpenter ants, making it easy for them to transition from the woodpile to your living spaces.

How To Prevent & Control Carpenter Ant Infestations

The best way to prevent carpenter ant infestations is to make your home less attractive to them. This means controlling moisture and sealing those cracks and crevices that we mentioned above. Furthermore, be sure to stay on top of routine home maintenance as your home is at greater risk for an infestation if it is not properly kept up. Be sure to keep vegetation from getting too close to your home, as this creates the perfect vehicle for carpenter ants to make their way in. 

Even if you’re doing everything right to try to prevent these wood-damaging insects from entering your home, they may still find their way in. The best way to control a carpenter ant infestation is to contact a professional with extensive experience dealing with these wood-damaging pests. If you’re a home or business owner in Massachusetts that is currently experiencing a problem with carpenter ants, contact our team at Absolut Pest Control today to get a free carpenter ant control estimate!

Contact Absolut Pest Control!

If you need assistance identifying, preventing, or treating a carpenter ant infestation in your Massachusetts or Southern New Hampshire home, please contact our team at Absolut Pest Control today for a free estimate! We provide various pest removal and extermination services at affordable prices throughout the region! Give us a call today at (978) 388-4589 or fill out the contact form on our website to get a free estimate!