You may panic when you see a trail of oversized monster ants. Carpenter ants, which are large and black, are a threat to any wooden structure. But don't worry; we will show you how to get rid of carpenter ants.
Identifying Carpenter Ants
Differentiating a carpenter ant from the thousands of other species of ants is easier than you would think. Carpenter ants' bodies are usually jet black, though some varieties have a dark red color. They feature three distinct portions of their body: head, thorax, and petiole.
The most common trait of carpenter ants is their large size. It is common to find carpenter ants that are anywhere between 3/8 to 5/8 of an inch long. Carpenter ants also have six legs and antennae that have an outward crook.
You can find Carpenter ant colonies inside of wood that is damp and decaying. Also, you can find them in compromised wood that is exposed to the elements.
Unlike termites, carpenter ants do not eat wood. Instead, they choose to bore out cavities in timber to build their nest. Long term infestations lead to structural issues inside of your home. You should remedy them immediately.
If left unchecked, carpenter ant colonies will split and infest structures in other locations. This leads to further damage.
| Carpenter Ant | Termite | |
|---|---|---|
| Wings | Uneven length | Even length and symmetrical |
| Antennae | Elbowed | straight |
| Body | Narrow "waist" | Uniform body, No "waist" |
| Wood | Bores wood for shelter | Consumes wood for nutrition |
| Photo |  |  |
How To Kill Carpenter Ants
You must get rid carpenter ants quickly – especially if they have infested the structure of your house. Damp and decaying wood attract carpenter ants. Thus, the first step to removing carpenter ants is to remove or replace any compromised wood.
Preventing an infestation is more manageable than eliminating one. Removing wood that is appealing to carpenter ants is the best option.
Once carpenter ants establish themselves, you have two options: carpenter ant poison and carpenter ant bait.
Carpenter ant poisons kill ants on contact. In fact, an ant coming into contact with poison will die within minutes.
Carpenter ant baits attract the ant and allow the ant to take the poison bait back to the colony. The ants then share the bait with other ants, along with the queen. Thus, the entire population becomes poisoned and dies off.
Many professionals prefer carpenter ant bait over poison because it removes entire colonies.
Recommended Ant Killers
Recommended Ant Bait 👉 Maxforce Fleet Ant Bait Gel
Maxforce Fleet Ant Bait Gel eliminates carpenter ant colonies inside your home. Maxforce Gel uses a mixture of carbohydrates and sugars to attract ants. It also features Firponil as its insecticide.
Fipronil kills ants in one to two days. You should see effective control of the colony in three to five days.
To use Maxforce Fleet, place a few 1-gram spots of bait gel around entry/exit holes, trails, cracks, or crevasses. This will attract foraging worker ants.
You can apply Maxforce Gel on ceilings, molding, walls, studs, or floor joists.
Recommended Carpenter Ant Poison 👉 PT 221L Aerosol
PT 221L Aerosol is an excellent solution for killing visible carpenter ants. Spray PT 221L in cracks and crevasses near or next to ant trails or colonies.
Lambda-Cyhalothrin is the active ingredient. It is a general use insecticide designed to kill a multitude of pests, including carpenter ants.
Note that you should not apply PT 221L in large areas. Spray it only in targeted areas in which carpenter ants are active.
PT 211L is a carpenter ant poison and not a carpenter ant bait. Eliminating the colony, however, may require a carpenter ant bait. The reason is because poison will kill the ants that it comes into contact with but not the ants that you cannot see.
Carpenter Ant Killer FAQs
Q: Is carpenter ant killer safe?
A: Carpenter ant killers are designed to eliminate pests the size of an ant, not a human or a pet. It is doubtful that a human or pet would accidentally ingest enough bait or poison to do serious harm. Always follow the manufacturer's safety and application guidelines when applying any pesticide or chemical.
Q: How long does it take a carpenter ant killer to work?
A: Carpenter ant killers will begin killing ants 24-48 hours after ingestion. It is common to see entire colonies eliminated after a week to 10 days. Carpenter ant poison will kill ants instantly or within minutes but may not eliminate the colony.
Q: How does carpenter ant killer work?
A: Carpenter ant killers eliminate ants by interfering with the ant's central nervous system function.
