Posted on April 2nd, 2025

As Connecticut's trusted pest control experts at KEA Pest Control, we've helped countless homeowners identify and eliminate carpenter ant infestations. In this comprehensive guide, we'll share our professional insights on spotting these destructive pests before they cause serious damage to your home.

Visual Identification:

Carpenter ants are among the largest ants in Connecticut, typically measuring 1/2 to 5/8 inches in length. These black or reddish-black insects are significantly larger than common house ants, making them relatively easy to identify.

• Size comparison between carpenter ants and regular ants
• Frass and wood damage examples
• Common entry points
• Treatment methods

Early Warning Signs:

Frass (Wood Shavings): Look for sawdust-like material near wooden structures • Hollow-Sounding Wood: Tap on wood surfaces - a hollow sound indicates damage • Entry Holes: Small, clean holes in wood surfaces • Night Activity: Carpenter ants are most active after sunset.

This is one major difference between carpenter ants and termites—while termites consume the cellulose in wood, carpenter ants excavate it and discard the debris. Some homeowners report hearing faint scratching or gnawing sounds within walls as these ants expand their nests. Additionally, the presence of winged ants inside your home may indicate an active carpenter ant infestation.

Common Factors That Attract Ants to Your Home:

Carpenter ants require a constant water source to survive, making them especially drawn to damp or decaying wood near your home. While they often start by nesting in wet or molding wood, they can eventually tunnel into dry, undamaged wood as they expand their colony. These ants can also enter through cracks, crevices, or small openings around doors and windows.

Once inside, carpenter ants are attracted to food sources such as sweets, meats, cakes, and grease. Cleaning up spills promptly can help reduce their access to these food sources. As temperatures drop in winter, they seek warm, sheltered areas to hibernate, often nesting within walls where they enter a dormant state until warmer weather returns.

Why am I suddenly seeing Carpenter Ants?

As spring arrives and temperatures rise above 50 degrees, you may notice a sudden surge of carpenter ant activity as they emerge from hibernation in search of food. While they may seem like a new problem, this sudden appearance doesn’t always mean they just arrived—carpenter ants often nest indoors during the colder months, remaining hidden until warmer weather triggers increased movement.

Winged males are usually the first to emerge as rising temperatures and longer daylight hours signal the start of their swarming season. The presence of these winged ants inside your home can indicate an infestation that has been ongoing for over two years. Mature colonies, typically three to five years old, produce reproductive swarmers, or alates, in the warm spring months. Unlike termites, carpenter ant swarmers only appear in spring as they attempt to establish new colonies.

Can Carpenter Ants Cause Structural Damage to a Home?

While carpenter ants don’t consume wood like termites, their nesting habits can be just as destructive. They start by tunneling into damp or moldy wood, then gradually expand their galleries into surrounding areas. When a colony nests within a home’s wooden framework, it can lead to significant structural damage over time.

An established colony can grow to over 2,000 ants, continuously enlarging their tunnels and weakening the wood. The longer they go untreated, the more extensive the damage becomes, potentially compromising the integrity of the structure

Common Problem Areas in Connecticut Homes:

Moisture-prone areas like bathrooms and kitchens • Window frames and doorways • Areas where trees touch or overhang your house Basements and crawl spaces with humidity issues.

Prevention Tips:

Control moisture levels in your home • Trim tree branches away from your house • Store food in airtight containers • Seal potential entry points around utilities and pipes.

Professional Treatment Options:

If the activity persists, it’s best to contact a trained and licensed pest management professional who can assess the situation and provide an effective plan to resolve the issue.

• At KEA Pest Control, we offer: • Eco-friendly treatment options available • Thorough inspection and targeted treatment service warranty • Same-day emergency response

Don't wait until carpenter ants cause extensive damage to your home. Call Us at KEA Pest Control at (833) 795-2714 for same-day service in Hartford, Tolland, and Litchfield Counties. ant exterminators, Our expert team is ready to protect your home with our eco-friendly options and 30-day warranty.