Carpenter ants are one of the most destructive insect pests in BC homes. Understanding what they are, how to identify them, and how to get rid of them is essential for any BC homeowner dealing with an infestation.

What Are Carpenter Ants?

Carpenter ants (Camponotus species) are large ants — typically 6–13mm long — that excavate wood to build their nests. Unlike termites, they don’t eat wood; they remove it, creating smooth galleries and chambers inside structural timber, beams, window frames, and decks. The most common carpenter ant in BC is the black carpenter ant (Camponotus modoc), though several species are found across the province.

Signs of Carpenter Ants in Your Home

The most reliable sign is frass — small piles of sawdust-like material mixed with insect body parts pushed out of galleries through small openings. You may also hear faint rustling sounds inside walls, find large black ants foraging in the kitchen (especially at night), or see winged carpenter ants emerging from walls in spring — a serious warning sign of an established indoor nest.

How to Get Rid of Carpenter Ants

Locate the nest: Effective carpenter ant control starts with finding the nest. Follow foraging trails back to their source, especially at dusk when activity peaks. The parent nest is usually in moist wood outdoors — a tree stump, wood pile, or fence post. Satellite nests inside the structure are in moist or previously damaged wood.

Treat the nest directly: Apply residual insecticide directly into nest galleries and along travel routes. A perimeter treatment around the foundation prevents re-entry from outdoor nests.

Remove moisture sources: Fix leaking pipes, repair water-damaged wood, and ensure proper drainage. Carpenter ants are strongly attracted to moist wood for nesting.

Seal entry points: Carpenter ants enter through gaps around pipes, windows, and where wood contacts the foundation. Sealing these prevents re-infestation after treatment.

When to Call a Professional

If carpenter ants are inside walls or structural timber, professional treatment is required to locate all nest sites and apply appropriate products safely. DIY approaches rarely eliminate established indoor carpenter ant colonies.

Top Line Pest Control provides professional carpenter ant control across BC. Learn about our carpenter ant control services, read about carpenter ant infestations, or contact us today for a free assessment.