Signs of Carpenter Ant Activity Inside a Home
Pest Expert Matthew S. Hess
04/01/2025
Carpenter ants are notorious for their ability to cause structural damage by nesting in wood. Four Seasons Pest Solutions is dedicated to helping our customers recognize the signs of carpenter ant activity inside a home to help reduce the likelihood of costly damage and repairs. Here is a detailed list of signs to watch for:
Sawdust-like Frass
Carpenter ants excavate wood to create nesting galleries, and they often leave behind a fine sawdust-like material known as frass. This frass can accumulate near their nesting sites or exit holes. If you find small piles of dark, grainy material near wooden structures, it may indicate carpenter ant activity.
Carpenter ant frass is small, coarse, and resembles sawdust. It may also be mixed with insect parts and bits of plant material.
Hollow Sounding Wood
When tapping on wooden surfaces, if you hear a hollow sound, it could mean that carpenter ants have tunneled through the wood. This sound is often more pronounced in structural beams, window frames, or door frames where carpenter ants may have nested.
As carpenter ants excavate their galleries in wood members, they become hollow and weakened.
Visible Ant Trails
Carpenter ants are social insects and often follow established trails between their nests and food sources. Look for ants moving in a line, especially during warm months. If you see ants marching along walls, ceilings, or floors, it may indicate that they are foraging for food or leading you back to their nest.
Trails of large ants inside your home (3/8 to 5/8 inch long) are likely evidence of a carpenter ant infestation.
Nesting Sites
Carpenter ants prefer to nest in damp, decaying wood or insulation. Check for nest sites, which can often be found in areas such as attics, basements, or behind walls. You may find a cluster of ants in a wooden structure, near plumbing leaks, or in areas with poor ventilation.
Carpenter ants will excavate insulation within the walls to form their nesting sites, decreasing the effectiveness of the insulation’s R-value.
Winged Ants
During the reproductive season in late spring to early summer, you may notice swarms of winged carpenter ants, also known as alates. These are the reproductive males and females that leave the nest to mate. Finding winged ants indoors, particularly near windows or light sources, can indicate an active infestation. Learning the difference between carpenter ant swarmers and termite swarmers is important for every homeowner.
Winged ants are a sign of serious infestation. These are the reproductive portion of the colony and their singular goal is to procreate to start a new colony.
Wood Damage
Look for signs of wood damage, including small exit holes in wood surfaces. Unlike termites, carpenter ants do not consume wood, but their tunneling can weaken structural integrity. Inspect wooden areas such as beams, floorboards, and furniture for small holes or soft spots that may indicate damage.
Wood can become weakened when damaged by carpenter ants.
Moisture Issues
Carpenter ants are attracted to moist environments, so signs of water damage, such as stained ceilings or walls, can indicate a potential nesting site. If you notice peeling paint or water stains, it’s essential to investigate further, as moisture issues can encourage carpenter ant infestations.
Signs of carpenter ant activity in a home may begin to be seen after moisture damage has occurred.
Increased Ant Activity
A sudden increase in ant activity in your home, especially during warm weather, can signal a nearby carpenter ant colony. If you begin noticing more ants inside your home than usual, particularly in areas near wood, it may be a sign of an infestation.
If you see increased activity from carpenter ants inside a home, it’s likely due to infestation.
Presence of Dead Ants
Finding dead carpenter ants around your home can indicate that there is an infestation nearby. If you see dead ants in addition to other signs of activity, it may be a sign that the colony is active in your home.
Dead carpenter ants inside a home, like this queen being dismembered by pavement ants, indicates a carpenter ant infestation.
Nest Smell
Some people report a musty odor in areas where carpenter ants are nesting. This smell can be a result of the moisture and organic material in their nests. If you detect a strange smell in your home, especially near wood structures, it may warrant further investigation for carpenter ant activity.
What If I Find Carpenter Ants Inside My Home?
Hopefully, you don’t encounter an infestation of carpenter ants inside your home, but if you do, don’t stress it; we’re here to make sure your pest problems don’t go on unresolved. In fact, our team of certified service specialists are standing by for just this very thing. We live to prevent and eliminate pests from interfering with your otherwise peaceful life. So, if you find yourself fretting over the possibility of signs of carpenter ant activity inside your home, grab your cell and hit us up… and find out why everybody says it’s good to have Four Seasons on your side!
