Western Carpenter Ant nests are usually found in decayed wood of any kind.  Look for rough sawdust wood piles, rotting logs and stumps when scouting for nests. Peak foraging occurs at night so start scouting at dawn or dusk. Their foraging trails can be 300 or more feet from their nest.They enter homes around doors and window frames, through eaves,along plumbing, and where tree limbs touch the house.

Carpenter ants feed on insect honeydew, plant and fruit juices, insects, and a few other things.  Indoors they like to eat food crumbs including cakes, pet food, grease, eggs, and all kinds of sweets.

To control any Carpenter Ants, you must find and treat as many nests as possible.  There will be a large colony and several satellite nests.  Success will depend on eliminating the parent nest. Check wooden areas witha probe that will penetrate infested wood. 

Granular bait will need to be applied around the base of trees harboring nests, around buildings, along ant trails and in cracks and crevices.  Gel bait will need to be applied where ant enter buildings.  Dust may need to be applied in voids, the perimeter will need to be sprayed.

Even if your home is stucco, brick, or stone, that doesn’t mean that carpenter ants couldn’t find a gap or hole and get inside of your structure, so be sure to check your home.

Carpenter Ants, also called Pennsylvania or Black Carpenter ants have moderately sized colonies with more than 3,000 workers and only one queen. Inside, nests usually start in moist, decayed wood and voids. Look for coarse sawdust piles that contain insect body parts. Listen for the sounds of workers chewing wood. Outside, nests are commonly found in dead or damaged trees, rotting logs, and stumps.

Carpenter ants enter buildings around door and window frames, through eaves, along plumbing and utility lines and where branches touch a structure.

Carpenter ants feed primarily on insects honeydew, plant and fruit juices and insects. Indoors they feed on food crumbs, meat, pest food, and grease.

To control carpenter ants, the nest has to be treated directly. successful control depends on eliminating the parent colony which is usually located outside. Besides eliminating the colony, voids must be dusted, the perimeter sprayed, vegetation cur back, and granular insect bait applied.

Carpenter ants can do great damage in a short amount of time, so if you find carpenter ants, call for professional help immediately.