Signs You Have A Carpenter Ant Problem

When you find mice droppings in the garage, you know you have a rodent problem. When you spy a spider web in an eave, you know you have spiders. Some pests are just plain obvious, others not so much. Carpenter ants are an insect that happens to fall into both categories. Keep reading for an explanation and of course, to find out how you can identify a carpenter ant infestation in or on your property.

Should Denver homeowners worry about carpenter ants?

Before we expound on what we mean above, let’s take a moment to explain why this topic is important. In the simplest of terms, the answer is because carpenter ants in Denver and throughout Colorado are wood-destroying ants capable of causing serious and extensive damage if left un-treated. 

As we discussed in a previous blog post titled Moisture And Carpenter Ants Don’t Mix, carpenter ants are attracted to water-damaged wood - the higher the moisture content, the better. When wood is in the condition just mentioned, carpenter ants have an easier time tunneling in it and creating their nesting galleries. 

Unfortunately, all the excavation work carried out by a carpenter ant colony can result in damage ranging from minor cosmetic issues to major structural damage.

An easy-to-spot sign of a carpenter ant infestation

Alright, let’s get back to the explanation we said would be forthcoming. Carpenter ants are large, typically black ants (they could look reddish-black too). Though they won’t necessarily march in a long line across the kitchen floor, you might spot one here or one there. Those are the scouts sent out from the colony to find food.  On occasion, you might discover several carpenter ants traveling from a nest to a food source. Because carpenter ants are larger than other types of ants in Colorado, when you see one (or many), you will probably recognize it/them which is why seeing adult carpenter ants inside your home, crawling up and down trees, or roaming your property is an easy and obvious sign of a carpenter ant problem.

Another easily identifiable sign of carpenter ants is finding winged ants slipping out from behind walls, outlet covers, and light switch coverings. Those are the reproductive members of the colony and their mission is to find a mate and start a new nest. If they’re exiting from inside the house, that means they’re already inside hard at work.  

Signs of carpenter ant activity that aren’t as obvious

The thing about carpenter ant activity and the subsequent damage that makes it hard to spot is that it can be easily confused with the results of water damage. If you’re concerned about a possible carpenter ant problem in your home, look for these warning signs:

• Sticking doors
• Swollen windows
• Bulging walls
• Sagging floors
• Piles of wood shavings under window sills and baseboards

If you’ve found what you think is water damage in your home but are not sure, we highly recommend scheduling an inspection to rule out or confirm the presence of carpenter ants or even another wood-destroying pest.

How EnviroPest eliminates carpenter ants in Denver, Colorado Springs & NoCo

For the best carpenter treatment in Denver, Colorado Springs, and Loveland as well throughout our service area, EnviroPest is the local pest control company to call.  We’ve been protecting Colorado homes and businesses from pests since 1965 and have the knowledge, tools, and resolve to exterminate carpenter ants and other pests that threaten your family and home’s wellbeing.

Our Colorado’s Choice Smart Service, a year-round home pest control plan, targets these destructive ants as well as other common house-infesting insects and rodents. Learn more about the plan below or simply complete the form to request your free estimate.