What You Should Do About Carpenter Ants Around Your Lexington Property

Get A Free Quote Today!

Get started with a free, no obligation quote.

If you were to make a list of all the things you need to do around your home, how long would that list be? Do you have holes that need to be repaired? Do you have trees that need to be trimmed? Do you have plants growing in your gutters because you just don't have the time or money to get them cleaned? Keeping on top of home maintenance can be a challenge. So, when carpenter ants start appearing, you may be tempted to put off doing anything about them—well, at least until they start becoming noticeable. Unfortunately, when carpenter ants start to become noticeable, it is often too late to repair extensive damage. Let's discuss the unique challenge carpenter ants present and what you can do about these ants when they start encroaching on your Lexington property.

Detecting One Ant

Close up of a carpenter ant crawling on wood

If you see one big, black ant crawling around, it is easy to think that it is no big deal. But that one ant could be telling you something. It could be warning you that a carpenter ant nest is inside your home. Carpenter ants can be sneaky.

  • Carpenter ants are nocturnal by nature. They typically come out at night when you can't see them.
  • Carpenter ants can easily find food in your landscaping, they don't need to raid your cabinets. You may never see lots of these ants inside your home.
  • The warning signs left by carpenter ants can be subtle.

What should you do when you see one ant?

Seeing one ant does not mean you have an infestation. A carpenter ant can travel 300 feet from its nest as it searches for food. But, whether it is inside your home causing damage to your wood, or is in a nest nearby, it is a good idea to find out where the nest is located. Have a professional do an inspection and find the nest to ensure your home is protected. Carpenter ants aren't as destructive as termites but they can still do a lot of damage, especially when they go untreated.

Detecting Warning Signs

When these ants come into your yard or get into your home, they can leave clues to warn you of their presence. These signs are often subtle. Here's what you should know:

  • Frass is a material that consists of wood shavings, insect parts, and feces. This material is pushed out of carpenter ant tunnels. If you see it in or around your home, you'll know that you have a problem. But frass can be pushed out inside wall voids and in secluded places that are hard to get into. This can make frass difficult or impossible to detect.
  • Carpenter ants can cause visible damage. Unlike termites, these ants have no problem walking on the surface of the wood they are damaging. But it can be difficult to see this damage because it is often done in dark, damp locations.
  • When a carpenter ant nest matures, swarmers are produced. It is hard to miss a few dozen carpenter ant swarmers. They can be as large as an inch long. But swarms only last for about 30 minutes. After they swarm, they shed their wings and begin to create new nests in hidden places.

What should you do about warning signs?

Do routine inspections of your property and make sure to look in places that are hard to get into or see into. If you're not able to do this, consider investing in a residential pest control program for the control of insect populations around your home.

Carpenter Ant Attractants

Carpenter ants are attracted to moist conditions, wood sources, and the presence of honeydew on plants. If your yard provides an ideal habitat, these ants can create a nest close to your home. This can ultimately lead to an infestation.

What should you do about attractants?

  • Address conditions around your home that make your perimeter damp or humid.
  • Remove stumps, logs, woodpiles, construction materials, stacks of cardboard, etc.
  • Paint wooden decks and fences.

You Don't Have To Go It Alone

Remember that Action Pest Control can provide ongoing ant control services around your home to repel and reduce ants, reduce food sources for carpenter ants, and catch warning signs early. It pays to have a licensed and experienced professional doing routine inspections and treatments. Reach out to us today to get your pest control plan started.

image of mostly-white living room

What Action Pest Control Customers Are Saying

Action is trusted by over 23,000 happy customers, see what our customers are saying!

happy girl

 Your PEST CONTROL deserves a ten star rating!!!!!

David B.
smiling man

 I wanted to tell you that we really enjoy having Jason as our technician. He is polite, professional and easy to talk to about any issues or concerns. Please give him a pat on the back from us for his good work. Thanks very much.

Sharon S.
smiling couple

 Derek is always cooperative, enthusiastic, and professional. Excellent service whether I am home or not.

James S.

Schedule Your Free Inspection

Complete the form below to schedule your no obligation inspection.

thumbtack 2016 logo
better business bureau affiliation logo
angies super service reward
homeguide logo

Stay Informed

Latest Blog Articles

Read more

Cricket Control In Lexington: From Identification To Eradication

In this article, we’ll talk about what you can do to keep crickets away from your home.

Read more

A Comprehensive Guide To Getting Rid Of Cockroaches In Louisville

Cockroaches are among the worst pests any homeowner can face.

Read more

Practical Steps For Long-Term Spider Control In Indianapolis

Do spiders give you the “ick?” They do for a lot of people here in Indianapolis. Most are scared of these pests because of their appearance.

View All Articles