Carpenter ants in Frisco, Texas tunnel into wood, sometimes causing serious damage to homes. They carve out smooth tunnels inside beams, floors, and walls to create living spaces. You might not see them every day, but their hidden activity can eventually lead to warped wood, drooping ceilings, or structural instability if left untreated.
The humid conditions, expanding suburbs, and plentiful landscaping in Frisco can provide the perfect setting for these ants. So, carpenter ant infestations are common. But you can protect your home from serious damage if you know how to recognize the signs early and understand the risks they pose. Need an exterminator in Frisco? Ensure you hire a company with a good reputation and extensive experience in your specific pest issue.
Where Do Carpenter Ants Nest?
Carpenter ants build their nests in soft or moist wood. Their nesting spots can include attics, wall voids, and around sinks or bathtubs. Also, they can be hiding behind dishwashers, under decks or porches, or inside wooden fence posts. They can enter a home from trees that touch the roofline or from cracks around doors and windows. Once inside, they may stay hidden for months while continuing to grow their colony.
Sometimes, they will create a satellite colony inside the home while the main nest remains outdoors. Thus, even if you kill some ants indoors, there might be more of them living outside your home.
How Carpenter Ants Damage Homes
As carpenter ants tunnel through wood, they can weaken structural parts of your home. Untreated infestations can lead to sagging walls, weakened beams, or damaged ceilings. Because carpenter ants don’t eat the wood, they push it out of their tunnels. This creates piles of sawdust-like material called frass, which is often found beneath baseboards or near small holes in walls.
Though they work more slowly than termites, carpenter ants can still cause thousands of dollars in damage if left untreated. Homes with older wood, poor ventilation, or water leaks are especially at risk.
Warning Signs of Carpenter Ants
Spotting carpenter ants early is essential in protecting your home from damage. Below are signs of a carpenter ant problem:
- Seeing large black ants. These ants can be seen near windows, sinks, or along walls.
- Frass piles. This fine sawdust can be found near wooden areas or come from small holes.
- Rustling noises. You may hear faint scratching in quiet areas like walls or ceilings if you have carpenter ants.
- Winged ants. Reproductive ants with wings may swarm in spring. Finding them indoors is a sign of a nearby nest.
- Wood damage. Wood may sound hollow or show signs of tunneling if pressed.
Why Carpenter Ants Are Difficult to Control
Carpenter ants often build nests deep inside walls, insulation, or hard-to-reach areas. Killing a few ants on the surface won’t stop the colony. The colony can quickly repopulate if the queen remains alive. Also, because they may have multiple satellite colonies, you might miss part of the infestation. DIY sprays and traps often don’t reach the hidden nests. Also, store-bought treatments may only provide temporary relief. That’s why carpenter ant infestations usually require professional pest control to fully eliminate the problem.
Homeowners in Frisco don’t need to deal with carpenter ants alone. Romney Pest Control offers reliable and friendly pest services tailored to the unique challenges of Texas homes. Pest control experts at the company can locate hidden nests and eliminate active colonies. Also, they can take steps to help prevent future infestations. With advanced treatments and a focus on long-term solutions, Romney Pest Control helps protect your home’s structure and your peace of mind.
