Sasha CampbellCarpenter ants may not eat wood like termites, but they can damage it to make nests.
Yes, these large ants burrow into wood to build their nests. Over time, this can lead to significant structural damage to the wood.
If you see piles of fine sawdust near wood and/or large black or reddish-black ants, you may have a carpenter ant problem.
The good news is that there are several natural ways to control them without resorting to harmful chemicals.
Identification
Carpenter ants are typically large compared to other ants, measuring around 0.25 to 0.75 inches long [1]. Most of them are black, but some can be reddish-brown or have a combination of red and black coloring.
You might also notice winged carpenter ants inside during early spring, late fall, or winter.
These flying ants are often confused with termites, but a key difference is their narrow waists. Termites have broader waists.
Carpenter ants don’t eat wood. However, they burrow into it to build their nests, which, over time, weaken wooden structures.
This activity can cause wooden walls to sound hollow. You might also see damaged wood near windows, doors, and baseboards.
When outdoors, carpenter ants can nest in decayed wood such as dead trees, stumps, or logs [2].
They generally don’t harm garden plants. Still, their nesting habits can damage the wooden structures that may be used to support these plants.
How to Get Rid of Carpenter Ants Naturally
If you suspect an infestation, acting quickly with the right approach is crucial. Here are several natural ways to keep carpenter ants out of your home and yard.
1. Eliminate Sources of Excess Moisture
Carpenter ants are attracted to damp wood. Leaky roofs, broken gutters, and dripping pipes can create the kind of moist wood that they love.
Therefore, one of the first things you should do to deter carpenter ants is to fix these issues.
2. Soapy Water
A simple mixture of dish soap and water is an effective home remedy for killing carpenter ants.
Spray it directly on the ants. It will kill them.
Soapy water also helps to remove pheromone trails and deter ants for a long time. This remedy can be a great tool to keep these ants out of cupboards, countertops, and other areas in your house.
3. Find Their Primary Nest and Destroy It
Another key pest control strategy for carpenter ants is locating the central part of their colony. Yes, before trying any natural remedy, try to find the nest.
Once found, you can remove the wood or treat the area using natural methods, such as boiling water or boric acid. If the nest is outside, you can burn the infested wood.
4. Essential Oils
Certain essential oils, like cedarwood, peppermint, and orange oil, are natural ant repellents.
Mix about 10 to 20 drops with 3 cups of water in a spray bottle. Next, apply the solution to ant trails, entry points, and suspected nest areas.
These oils can deter those big black ants by disorienting them.
5. Boric Acid
Boric acid is toxic and can quickly eliminate a carpenter ant infestation, as it is poisonous to the critters.
Therefore, you can mix it with a sweet bait, such as sugar, to attract the ants. They will get poisoned from eating the stuff or from cleaning it off their legs.
6. Vinegar
Vinegar, especially white vinegar, is another effective ant-repellent remedy. Its strong scent disrupts the ants’ communication and navigation trails.
Therefore, spray undiluted vinegar along windowsills, baseboards, and other areas where pests may enter. Repeat this process daily to keep ants from returning.
While vinegar won’t kill them, it will repel them, encouraging them to leave the area entirely.
7. Properly Store Firewood
If you keep firewood stacked near your home, it can attract carpenter ants. This scenario is even more likely if the wood is exposed to the elements, allowing it to become wet from rain.
Therefore, store firewood at least 20 feet away from your home and keep it off the ground. Use a rack or platform to improve airflow and reduce moisture buildup, which makes it less attractive to ants.
8. Pour Boiling Water on Ant Trails
If you find an outdoor carpenter ant trail or a nest in a log or tree stump, pour boiling water directly onto the site. The hot water will instantly kill any ants present.
However, you may need to repeat this method several times to wipe out the colony entirely.
9. Neem Oil
Neem oil is one of the most effective natural insecticides available today. It can kill both large and small ants.
Therefore, mix 5 mL of neem oil with 1 liter of water and 2 mL of dish soap. Next, give the solution a good shake, then spray it directly onto ants or into their nests.
If you’re not willing to make this DIY (do-it-yourself) solution, you can purchase a ready-made neem oil solution.
10. Diatomaceous Earth
Another effective ant control remedy is diatomaceous earth.
Sprinkle it around suspected nest sites, along trails, and in cracks or crevices.
When ants walk through it, the powder damages their exoskeletons. The bruising causes them to dehydrate and later die.
However, be sure to use food-grade DE and reapply it after rain.
11. Remove All Rotted Stumps, Logs, or Wood from Your Surroundings
Carpenter ants often nest in old stumps, logs, or decaying fence posts. Therefore, removing these nesting spots can reduce the likelihood of a carpenter ant infestation.
Regularly inspect outdoor wooden structures for signs of damage. If anything is rotting, remove or replace it promptly.
12. Repellent Plants
Many plants contain natural compounds that can repel ants and other insects.
Herbs such as mint, rosemary, lavender, and thyme are excellent options. Due to their pungent, strong scents, they are effective at repelling ants.
Marigolds and tansy are also effective in repelling ants.
13. Beneficial Nematodes
You can also try beneficial nematodes. These microscopic worms attack and kill ants in the soil, including their larvae.
You buy and apply them by watering your yard, and they will seek out and destroy ants beneath the surface.
14. Prune Trees and Shrubs
Branches that touch your home can serve as a bridge for carpenter ants to get inside.
Therefore, prune trees and shrubs regularly to keep them from touching your house.
Doing so also increases sunlight and air circulation, helping to keep the area drier and less appealing to these pests.
15. Baking Soda
Baking soda can also be used to combat carpenter ants. You can use it to make a homemade carpenter ant killer.
Mix equal parts of sugar and baking soda. Next, place small amounts of the mixture near ant trails.
The sugar attracts them while the baking soda reacts with their digestive system, ultimately killing them.
16. EcoSmart Ant & Roach Killer Spray
If you’re looking for a ready-made, natural solution, EcoSmart Ant & Roach Killer Spray is a plant-based option.
It uses fragrant essential oils, such as rosemary and wintergreen, to repel ants. You can also use it to kill roaches.
This product is a good alternative to traditional chemical sprays.
Conclusion
Carpenter ants can cause significant damage if left unchecked, but that does not mean you need to call an exterminator.
With a bit of effort and the natural solutions above, you can effectively control these pests. Stay vigilant and treat early, and these ants are far less likely to stick around.
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