Sasha CampbellCarpenter ants may not eat wood like termites, but they can damage it to make nests.
Yes, these large ants excavate galleries inside wood to build their nests. Over time, large or long-established carpenter ant colonies can weaken wood and contribute to structural damage, especially if the wood is already damp or decaying.
If you see piles of fine sawdust near wood and/or large black, reddish, or black-and-red 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 are black, but some are reddish-brown or have a combination of red and black.
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 do not eat wood. Instead, they excavate galleries inside wood to create nesting spaces.
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 wooden structures 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 wash away pheromone trails, making it harder for other ants to follow the same path. This remedy is great for keeping these ants out of cupboards, countertops, and other areas of your house.
3. Find Their Primary Nest and Destroy It
Whenever possible, try to locate the main nest or satellite nests. Treating the colony at its source is usually more effective than simply killing the ants you see.
Once found, you can remove the wood or treat the area using natural methods, such as boiling water or boric acid. If local regulations allow, badly infested firewood can be burned safely away from structures.
4. Essential Oils
Certain essential oils, like cedarwood and peppermint oil, are natural ant repellents.
Mix about 10-20 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 may help repel carpenter ants by interfering with their scent trails.
5. Boric Acid
Boric acid is toxic to carpenter ants and can help reduce or eliminate an infestation when used as a bait. Therefore, you can mix it with a sweet bait, such as sugar, to attract the ants.
Worker ants transport the bait to the colony. Once there, they share it with other ants through food exchange. This sharing helps reduce the colony’s size over time.
6. Vinegar
Vinegar, especially white vinegar, is another effective ant-repellent remedy. Its strong scent disrupts ants’ communication and navigation.
Therefore, spray undiluted vinegar along windowsills, baseboards, and other areas where pests may enter. Repeat this process daily to keep ants from returning.
Vinegar helps disrupt scent trails and may temporarily discourage ants from using treated areas. However, it usually won’t eliminate an established colony.
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, which can make it wet from the 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.
Also, inspect firewood before bringing it indoors.
8. Pour Boiling Water into Accessible Nests
If you find an accessible carpenter ant nest in a log, stump, or other outdoor wood, carefully pour boiling water directly into the nest.
Boiling water may kill ants near the surface, but deep nests often survive, so additional treatments may be needed.
9. Neem Oil
Neem oil may help kill carpenter ants when sprayed directly on them. It may also discourage their activity in treated areas.
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 tiny particles damage their waxy outer coating, causing them to lose moisture and eventually die from dehydration.
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. Their strong scents may help discourage ants from entering treated areas.
Marigolds and tansy may also help repel ants because of their strong scent.
13. Seal Entry Points
Carpenter ants often enter homes through small cracks and gaps around windows, doors, utility pipes, and the foundation.
Seal these openings with caulk or another appropriate sealant to help prevent ants from getting inside. Also, repair damaged window screens and weatherstripping to reduce potential entry points.
While sealing entry points won’t eliminate an existing colony, it can help prevent new ants from entering your home.
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. Orange Oil
Orange oil contains a natural compound called d-limonene. This compound can kill carpenter ants on contact and may help control ants inside exposed nests.
If you locate an accessible nest outdoors or in damaged wood, apply orange oil according to the product label. It works by breaking down the ants’ protective outer coating, causing them to dehydrate and die.
Orange oil works best when applied directly to ants or into exposed nest galleries. However, it may not reach hidden colonies inside walls, so additional control methods may still be needed.
16. EcoSmart Ant and Roach Killer Spray
If you’re looking for a ready-made, natural solution, EcoSmart Ant & Roach Killer Spray is a plant-based option.
It contains plant-based oils that kill ants on contact and may also help repel them. You can also use it to kill roaches.
This product is a good alternative to traditional chemical sprays. It works best as a contact spray and may not eliminate the entire colony.
Takeaway
Carpenter ants can cause significant damage if left unchecked, but that does not always 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, address moisture problems promptly, and treat infestations early to reduce the chances of carpenter ants becoming established.
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