Carpenter ants are usually black or red in color, while black ants are typically black or dark brown. Carpenter ants prefer to nest in damp or decaying wood, such as in attics, basements, and crawl spaces, while black ants are commonly found nesting in soil, under rocks and paving stones, and in wall voids.
Carpenter ant workers always have a rounded thorax and the one segmented petiole (a part that connects the thorax and abdomen) while other black ants have an unevenly shaped thorax with either one or two-segmented petioles. If wings are present, the hind wings are shorter than the front wings.
Unfortunately, most big black ants found in people's homes are carpenter ants. They're called carpenter ants because they build their homes in wood by chewing and tunneling through it.
Boric acid dust also kills carpenter ants on contact, and it may be safer and easier to get into tiny spaces. Boric acid dust should be available at most hardware stores, and you'll typically use an included applicator to puff the dust into holes or crevices.
Little black ants typically nest in woodwork or masonry but sometimes come indoors and they are known to nest in the soil and under yard debris. Inside the house, little black ant infestation is usually the result of improper food storage.
We often get asked the question “If I have black ants does that mean I won't get termites”? Sorry to say that this is a BIG fat myth! Is it possible for black ants to eat and attack termites? The short answer is yes they will attack and eat termites but they are very strategic in their method.
Some of the most effective essential oils for naturally repelling carpenter ants at home are peppermint, lemongrass, tea tree, lemon, orange, cayenne pepper, clove, and cedarwood. After choosing an essential oil to use at home, put a few drops of it into a cotton ball and leave it in the problem areas around the house.
Carpenter ants typically feed on sweets, meats, and small insects. Check your cupboards for potential ant food sources. If you have flour, sugar, cereals, grains, or other foods sitting out or unsealed in your cabinets, these can attract carpenter ants into your home.
Carpenter Ants usually come into buildings through cracks around doors, windows, or through plumbing and electrical penetrations in the home.
In turn, carpenter ants are eaten by many creatures, including bears and woodpeckers.
These pests are not only an annoyance, but carpenter ants are also bad for your home, as they can cause serious wood damage to the structure. The sooner carpenter ants are treated, the less serious and expensive the damage is likely to be.
They are not a pest that will go away on their own. Don't assume carpenter ants are just another ant. These ants are unique and require specialized solutions. Don't assume there is just one nest.
Sounds of carpenter ants in the walls
If you hear a faint rustling noises coming from your walls, don't ignore it. There's a good chance there's a large infestation of carpenter ants at work behind the surface. Often compared to crinkling cellophane, the noises are more noticeable at night.
Another effective carpenter ant trap method is made from a non-toxic, non-staining solid bait that ants eat and bring back to the nest. This attracts other ants to eat it as well, eventually killing off the entire colony.
Although carpenter ants will eventually die off on their own if their food source disappears, this process could take months or even years. If you're dealing with an infestation, it's best to take proactive measures to get rid of carpenter ants as quickly as possible.
Make a bait to find the nest.
They're attracted to sweets, so a little bit of jam or jelly can work. You can also mix equal parts sugar and baking soda, then place the mixture in a shallow dish. The sugar attracts the ants, but the baking soda will kill them naturally.
In controlling carpenter ants, boric acid can be a dry powder or a liquid insect bait solution that contains a food attractant. Boric acid acts as a stomach poison for carpenter ants and other insects. The dry powder is intended to adhere to an insect's exoskeleton.
Try pouring a line of cream of tartar, red chili powder, paprika, or dried peppermint at the place where you think ants might be entering the house; they won't cross it. You can also try washing countertops, cabinets, and floors with equal parts vinegar and water.
The good news is that ants can still smell Vinegar after it is dried. Always remember that Vinegar is not a permanent solution to remove an ant infestation. It is reasonable to spread the solution thrice a week over the affected areas to remove ants slowly.
A common question that our Clegg's pest control customers ask is “can you use Clorox bleach to get rid of ants?” The answer is yes. All brands of bleach can kill ants. Clorox is the most popular brand of bleach out there but there are other brands that can also get the job done when it comes to killing ants.
Our choice for the best ant killer spray is Raid Multi Insect Killer for its reasonable price and ability to quickly kill a variety of insects in addition to ants. This powerful spray can be used indoors or outdoors.