Carpenter ants are a nuisance by their presence when found in parts of the home such as the kitchen, bathroom, living room and other quarters. When 20 or more large winged and/or wingless ants are found indoors, in the daytime near one location, it is possible that the colony is well established in the home and the nest may have been extended into sound wood, sometimes causing structural damage. They do not eat wood, but often remove quantities of it to expand their nest size. Carpenter ant inquiries rank first over all other household/ structural pests.

SomeCommon Signs of Carpenter Ant Infestations:

• Frass, which is made up of wood shavings, bits of soil, dead ants and parts of insects. This material is often piled up outside of nest openings and found in spider webs and window sills.
• Small windows or slit-like openings that carpenter ants cut into infested wood. These windows are actually "garbage chutes" which are used to dispose of frass or unwanted materials.
• Swarmers are the winged reproductives that take flight in the spring. Look for them trapped in spider webs, on window ledges or in light fixtures.
• Worker carpenter ants are active mostly at night, so you may not see any activity during normal working hours. Even if you do, it does not mean that the nest is nearby. Worker ants can travel up to the length of a football field foraging.
• Clicking or rustling sounds can sometimes be heard coming from carpenter ant nests. If you identify a potential nest site, try tapping against it with a screwdriver. You may hear a response -- the clicking of alarmed ants.
• Wood damaged by carpenter ants contains galleries that are very clean and smooth.

For more information on common pests, please visit buginfo.com