Carpenter Ants
Camponotus species
| Danger | medium |
|---|---|
| Category | Ants |
| Color | Usually red, black or a combination |
| Size | 5/8" |
| Legs | 6 |
| Antennae | Yes |
| Shape | Segmented; oval |
| Region | Throughout U.S., most common in the North |
Overview
The first appearance of winged males in a home often causes homeowners great concern, as it signifies that ants are living inside the house. The presence of a carpenter ant nest is sometimes indicated by a rustling sound that will come from wall voids or from wood where the nest is located when the winged forms are disturbed. If you see one ant, it likely signals you may have an infestation.
Carpenter ants require a water source to survive. They also like to build nests in stacks of wood and sometimes use branches to get into the home. Some ways you can prevent carpenter ants in the house include:
The main signs of a carpenter ant infestation in the house are small openings on the surface of wood. Through these openings, the ants expel debris, which consists of sawdust-like shavings and/or fragments of insulation and/or insect body parts. The accumulation of this debris below the holes is a good indication of an active infestation. The gallery walls that carpenter ants create are smooth, with a sand-papered appearance. Active galleries are kept clean of debris.
If you find these signs, contact a pest control professional about carpenter ant extermination immediately. They can cause serious damage to your home if not appropriately dealt with.
What Carpenter Ants Look Like
Carpenter ants vary in size and can be anywhere from ½” to ⅝” long. While black carpenter ants are common, you may also find a combination of black and red, red, or brown.
Signs of an Infestation
The main signs of a carpenter ant infestation in the house are small openings on the surface of wood. Through these openings, the ants expel debris, which consists of sawdust-like shavings and/or fragments of insulation and/or insect body parts. The accumulation of this debris below the holes is a good indication of an active infestation. The gallery walls that carpenter ants create are smooth, with a sand-papered appearance. Active galleries are kept clean of debris.
If you find these signs, contact a pest control professional about carpenter ant extermination immediately. They can cause serious damage to your home if not appropriately dealt with.
Are Carpenter Ants Dangerous?
Carpenter ants can bite and have powerful jaws, so their bites can be painful. They may also inject formic acid into the bite wound, creating a burning sensation. However, this pain will subside and does not pose a significant health threat.
Carpenter ants can emit formic acid as a defense against other arthropods, but it poses no danger to humans. People who disturb carpenter ant nests or handle them may detect an odor akin to vinegar, which is acetic acid and has a similar smell.
If you’ve been bitten by a carpenter ant, and the pinch has broken the skin, immediately clean the wound with soap and water, apply antibiotic ointment, and bandage the wound to prevent infection. Even though carpenter ant bites are very uncommon, its best to contact a pest control professional if you see them, since they can cause serious damage to structures.
Prevention & Control
Carpenter ants require a water source to survive. They also like to build nests in stacks of wood and sometimes use branches to get into the home. Some ways you can prevent carpenter ants in the house include:
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Common questions about Carpenter Ants
Are Carpenter Ants dangerous?
Carpenter ants can bite and have powerful jaws, so their bites can be painful. They may also inject formic acid into the bite wound, creating a burning sensation. However, this pain will subside and does not pose a significant health threat.
What do Carpenter Ants look like?
Carpenter ants vary in size and can be anywhere from ½” to ⅝” long. While black carpenter ants are common, you may also find a combination of black and red, red, or brown.
What are signs of Carpenter Ants?
The main signs of a carpenter ant infestation in the house are small openings on the surface of wood. Through these openings, the ants expel debris, which consists of sawdust-like shavings and/or fragments of insulation and/or insect body parts. The accumulation of this debris be
How do I get rid of Carpenter Ants?
Carpenter ants require a water source to survive. They also like to build nests in stacks of wood and sometimes use branches to get into the home. Some ways you can prevent carpenter ants in the house include:
Related Ants
Vendors for Ants
Vendors below are matched from the pest category and service specialties. Use country, ZIP / postal, city, branch, or service filters to narrow results.
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| Vendor | Score | Country | Reputation | Website | Telephone | ZIP / postal coverage | Good at | Certifications | Branch count | Quality / notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABC Home & Commercial Services | 5 / 5 | United States | 5 / 5 | (281) 730-9500 |
United States |
Commercial, Residential, Termites, Ants, Cockroaches, Rodents, Mosquitoes, Lawn |
QualityPro Accredited, Green Pro, Schools, Food Safety |
0 |
Score 5/5. verified industry directory membership; third-party certifications: QualityPro Accredited, Green Pro, Schools, Food Safety; operating since 1949; 8 service categories; core vendor profile fields complete. |
|
| Abell Pest Control | 5 / 5 | Canada | 5 / 5 | (888) 560-2056 |
Brampton, ON, Hamilton, ON, Gatineau, QC |
Commercial, Residential, Rodents, Cockroaches, Bed bugs, Ants, Ticks, Wildlife |
QualityPro Accredited, Green Pro, Schools, Food Safety |
3 |
Score 5/5. official website branch evidence; verified industry directory membership; third-party certifications: QualityPro Accredited, Green Pro, Schools, Food Safety; operating since 1924; 8 service categories; core vendor profile fields complete. |
|
| Amco Ranger Pest Control | 5 / 5 | United States | 5 / 5 | (636) 928-3084 |
Chesterfield, MO, Lake St. Louis, MO, O'Fallon, MO, St. Charles, MO, St. Louis, MO, St. Peters, MO, Wentzville, MO |
Commercial, General pest, Organic, Residential |
QualityPro Accredited, Green Pro, Schools |
7 |
Score 5/5. 7 official branch records; official website branch evidence; verified industry directory membership; third-party certifications: QualityPro Accredited, Green Pro, Schools. |
|
| Arrow Exterminators | 5 / 5 | United States | 5 / 5 | (516) 593-7770 |
United States |
Commercial, Residential, Termites, Wildlife, Mosquitoes |
QualityPro Accredited, Green Pro, Schools, Food Safety |
0 |
Score 5/5. verified industry directory membership; third-party certifications: QualityPro Accredited, Green Pro, Schools, Food Safety; operating since 1964; 5 service categories; core vendor profile fields complete. |
|
| Central Exterminating | 5 / 5 | United States | 5 / 5 | (800) 966-7673 |
Madison Heights, MI, Cuyahoga Falls, OH |
Ants, Bed bugs, Cockroaches, Commercial, General pest, Mosquitoes, Residential, Termites |
QualityPro Accredited, Green Pro, Schools |
7 |
Score 5/5. 7 official branch records; official website branch evidence; verified industry directory membership; third-party certifications: QualityPro Accredited, Green Pro, Schools; 8 service categories. |
|
| EcoChoice Termite & Pest Control | 5 / 5 | United States | 5 / 5 | (800) 323-7378 |
Framingham, MA, Leominster, MA, Springfield, MA, Worcester, MA, Bangor, ME, Portland, ME, Manchester, NH |
Commercial, General pest, Mosquitoes, Residential, Rodents, Termites, Ticks, Wildlife |
QualityPro Accredited |
7 |
Score 5/5. 7 official branch records; official website branch evidence; verified industry directory membership; third-party certifications: QualityPro Accredited; 8 service categories. |
|
| EcoShield Pest Solutions | 5 / 5 | United States | 5 / 5 | (888) 744-1284 |
Canoga Park, CA, Englewood Denver, CO, Tampa, FL, Annapolis Junction, MD, St. Louis Park, MN, Mount Laurel, NJ, Totowa, NJ, Westchester Plaza Elmsford Elmsford, NY, Norristown, PA, Dacoma Suite G Houston, TX, Dallas, TX, Houston, TX, +3 more |
Residential, Commercial, Ants, Rodents, Mosquitoes, Organic, General pest |
- |
24 |
Score 5/5. 24 official branch records; official website branch evidence; 7 service categories; core vendor profile fields complete. |
|
| Hawx | 5 / 5 | United States | 5 / 5 | (726) 202-0214 |
Phoenix, AZ |
Residential, Rodents |
QualityPro Accredited |
14 |
Score 5/5. 14 official branch records; official website branch evidence; verified industry directory membership; third-party certifications: QualityPro Accredited. |
|
| Insight Pest Solutions Alberta | 5 / 5 | Canada | 5 / 5 | (587) 323-4844 |
Calgary, AB, Burnaby, BC, Bathurst, NB, Bedford, NS, Dartmouth, NS, Barrie, ON, Burlington, ON, Charlottetown, PE, Drummondville, QC |
Ants, Residential, Rodents, Wildlife |
QualityPro Accredited |
18 |
Score 5/5. 18 official branch records; official website branch evidence; verified industry directory membership; third-party certifications: QualityPro Accredited. |
|
| Massey Services | 5 / 5 | United States | 5 / 5 | (770) 928-7275 |
United States |
Residential, Termites, Mosquitoes, Ants, Cockroaches, Lawn |
QualityPro Accredited, Green Pro |
0 |
Score 5/5. verified industry directory membership; third-party certifications: QualityPro Accredited, Green Pro; operating since 1985; 6 service categories; core vendor profile fields complete. |
|
| North Shore Pest Detective | 5 / 5 | Canada | 5 / 5 | (604) 434-7378 |
Burnaby, BC, Corporate Head Office, BC, Vancouver, BC |
Ants, Bed bugs, Cockroaches, General pest, Rodents |
QualityPro Accredited, Green Pro |
4 |
Score 5/5. official website branch evidence; verified industry directory membership; third-party certifications: QualityPro Accredited, Green Pro; 5 service categories. |
|
| Omega Termite & Pest Control | 5 / 5 | United States | 5 / 5 | (800) 257-3636 |
Alameda, Albany, Antioch, San Carlos, San Francisco, San Leandro, San Lorenzo, San Mateo, San Pablo, San Ramon, South San Francisco, Sunol, +2 more |
Residential, Termites |
QualityPro Accredited, Green Pro |
14 |
Score 5/5. 14 official branch records; official website branch evidence; verified industry directory membership; third-party certifications: QualityPro Accredited, Green Pro. |
|
| Orkin | 5 / 5 | United States | 5 / 5 | (877) 819-5061 |
Alabama |
Residential, Commercial, Termites, Bed bugs, Rodents, Ants, Cockroaches |
QualityPro Accredited, Green Pro, Food Safety |
1 |
Score 5/5. official website branch evidence; verified industry directory membership; third-party certifications: QualityPro Accredited, Green Pro, Food Safety; operating since 1901; 7 service categories; core vendor profile fields complete. |
|
| Palmetto Exterminators | 5 / 5 | United States | 5 / 5 | (800) 585-8019 |
Bluffton, SC, Charleston, SC, Charlotte, SC, Columbia, SC, Easley, SC, Greenville, SC, Irmo, SC, Murrells Inlet, SC, Myrtle Beach, SC, Summerville, SC, Walterboro, SC |
General pest, Mosquitoes, Residential, Termites |
QualityPro Accredited |
11 |
Score 5/5. 11 official branch records; official website branch evidence; verified industry directory membership; third-party certifications: QualityPro Accredited. |
|
| Pest Management Systems | 5 / 5 | United States | 5 / 5 | (910) 215-9700 |
Summerfield Oak Ridge, NC |
Bed bugs, Commercial, General pest, Residential, Rodents, Termites, Wildlife |
QualityPro Accredited, Green Pro, Schools |
1 |
Score 5/5. official website branch evidence; verified industry directory membership; third-party certifications: QualityPro Accredited, Green Pro, Schools; 7 service categories. |
|
| Rentokil | 5 / 5 | United States | 5 / 5 | (630) 621-5997 |
United States |
Commercial, Residential, Rodents, Termites, Cockroaches |
QualityPro Accredited |
0 |
Score 5/5. verified industry directory membership; third-party certifications: QualityPro Accredited; operating since 1927; 5 service categories; core vendor profile fields complete. |
|
| Rose Pest Solutions | 5 / 5 | United States | 5 / 5 | (260) 484-5589 |
Fort Wayne, IN, Indianapolis, IN, Kokomo, IN, Niles, IN, Madison Heights, MI |
Ants, Bed bugs, Cockroaches, Commercial, Mosquitoes, Residential, Rodents, Termites, Wildlife |
QualityPro Accredited, Green Pro, Schools, Food Safety |
12 |
Score 5/5. 12 official branch records; official website branch evidence; verified industry directory membership; third-party certifications: QualityPro Accredited, Green Pro, Schools, Food Safety; 9 service categories. |
|
| Terminix | 5 / 5 | United States | 5 / 5 | (334) 260-7670 |
Auburn, AL, Birmingham, AL, Dothan, AL, Homewood, AL, Irondale, AL, Madison, AL, Mobile, AL, Montgomery, AL, Northport, AL, Summerdale, AL, Theodore, AL, Batesville, AR, +512 more |
Residential, Commercial, Termites, Bed bugs, Rodents, Ants, Cockroaches, Organic, Ticks |
QualityPro Accredited, Green Pro |
619 |
Score 5/5. 619 official branch records; official website branch evidence; verified industry directory membership; third-party certifications: QualityPro Accredited, Green Pro; operating since 1927; 9 service categories; core vendor profile fields complete. |
|
| The Bug Master | 5 / 5 | United States | 5 / 5 | (512) 714-2341 |
Austin, TX, Belton, TX, Buda, TX, Cameron, TX, Cedar Park, TX, Copperas Cove, TX, Cypress, TX, Driftwood, TX, Georgetown, TX, Gruene, TX |
Ants, Cockroaches, General pest, Mosquitoes, Organic, Rodents, Termites, Wildlife |
QualityPro Accredited, Green Pro |
10 |
Score 5/5. 10 official branch records; official website branch evidence; verified industry directory membership; third-party certifications: QualityPro Accredited, Green Pro; 8 service categories. |
|
| Thrasher Termite & Pest Control of So Cal | 5 / 5 | United States | 5 / 5 | (619) 349-8969 |
San Diego, CA |
Ants, Residential, Rodents |
QualityPro Accredited, Public Health, Green Pro |
9 |
Score 5/5. 9 official branch records; official website branch evidence; verified industry directory membership; third-party certifications: QualityPro Accredited, Public Health, Green Pro. |
|
| Triangle Pest Control | 5 / 5 | United States | 5 / 5 | (919) 283-3205 |
Angier, NC, Apex, NC, Carrboro, NC, Cary, NC, Chapel Hill, NC, Clayton, NC, Durham, NC, Garner, NC |
Ants, General pest, Organic, Residential, Rodents, Termites |
QualityPro Accredited, Green Pro |
9 |
Score 5/5. 9 official branch records; official website branch evidence; verified industry directory membership; third-party certifications: QualityPro Accredited, Green Pro; 6 service categories. |
|
| Creature Control | 4 / 5 | United States | 4 / 5 | (800) 441-1519 |
Ann Arbor, MI, Auburn Hills, MI, Brighton, MI, Farmington Hills, MI, Gregory, MI, Jackson, MI, Lansing, MI, Livingston County, MI, Oakland County, MI, Washtenaw County, MI |
Wildlife, Rodents, Residential, General pest |
- |
10 |
Score 4/5. 10 official branch records; official website branch evidence; core vendor profile fields complete. |
|
| Ehrlich Pest Control | 4 / 5 | United States | 4 / 5 | (855) 963-6202 |
New York, NY |
Commercial, Residential |
QualityPro Accredited |
1 |
Score 4/5. official website branch evidence; verified industry directory membership; third-party certifications: QualityPro Accredited. |
|
| Jackson Pest Management | 4 / 5 | United States | 4 / 5 | (260) 747-9772 |
Archive.Html, Index.Html |
Residential |
QualityPro Accredited |
3 |
Score 4/5. official website branch evidence; verified industry directory membership; third-party certifications: QualityPro Accredited. |
|
| Knockout Pest Control | 4 / 5 | United States | 4 / 5 | (800) 244-7378 |
Uniondale, NY |
Commercial, Organic, Residential |
QualityPro Accredited, Green Pro |
3 |
Score 4/5. official website branch evidence; verified industry directory membership; third-party certifications: QualityPro Accredited, Green Pro. |
|
| Mares Exterminating | 4 / 5 | United States | 4 / 5 | (757) 485-5005 |
Suffolk, Williamsburg |
General pest, Residential |
QualityPro Accredited |
2 |
Score 4/5. official website branch evidence; verified industry directory membership; third-party certifications: QualityPro Accredited. |
|
| Moxie Pest Control | 4 / 5 | United States | 4 / 5 | (469) 545-2160 |
United States |
Residential, Ants, Cockroaches, Mosquitoes, Rodents |
QualityPro Accredited |
0 |
Score 4/5. verified industry directory membership; third-party certifications: QualityPro Accredited; 5 service categories. |
|
| Nozzle Nolen | 4 / 5 | United States | 4 / 5 | (800) 226-6536 |
Boca Raton, FL, Lake Worth, FL, Port St Lucie, FL, West Palm Beach, FL |
Commercial, Organic, Residential |
QualityPro Accredited, Green Pro |
4 |
Score 4/5. official website branch evidence; verified industry directory membership; third-party certifications: QualityPro Accredited, Green Pro. |
|
| ProSource Pest Solutions | 4 / 5 | United States | 4 / 5 | (203) 405-9856 |
Waterbury, CT |
Residential, Wildlife |
QualityPro Accredited |
4 |
Score 4/5. official website branch evidence; verified industry directory membership; third-party certifications: QualityPro Accredited. |
|
| Springer Professional Home Services | 4 / 5 | United States | 4 / 5 | (515) 262-9229 |
Des Moines, IA |
Residential |
QualityPro Accredited |
1 |
Score 4/5. official website branch evidence; verified industry directory membership; third-party certifications: QualityPro Accredited. |
|
| Varment Guard Wildlife Services | 4 / 5 | United States | 4 / 5 | (800) 793-8169 |
Lima, Mankato, MN, Rochester, MN |
Residential, Wildlife |
QualityPro Accredited |
3 |
Score 4/5. official website branch evidence; verified industry directory membership; third-party certifications: QualityPro Accredited. |
|
| Viking Pest Control | 4 / 5 | United States | 4 / 5 | (732) 356-3100 |
United States |
Commercial, Residential, Termites, Rodents, Mosquitoes |
QualityPro Accredited, Green Pro |
0 |
Score 4/5. verified industry directory membership; third-party certifications: QualityPro Accredited, Green Pro; 5 service categories. |
|
| Presto-X Pest Control (Rentokil) | 3 / 5 | United States | 3 / 5 | (985) 626-7378 |
United States |
Commercial, Residential, Rodents, Cockroaches |
QualityPro Accredited |
0 |
Score 3/5. verified industry directory membership; third-party certifications: QualityPro Accredited. |
|
| Solidified Pest Control | 3 / 5 | United States | 3 / 5 | (866) 614-6762 |
Ann Arbor, MI, Livonia, MI |
Residential, Ants, Rodents, General pest |
- |
2 |
Score 3/5. official website branch evidence; core vendor profile fields complete. |
|
| Aptive Environmental | 2 / 5 | United States | 2 / 5 | - |
United States |
Residential, Ants, Cockroaches, Mosquitoes, Rodents, Ticks |
- |
0 |
Score 2/5. 6 service categories. |
|
| CJB Pest & Mosquito Control | 1 / 5 | United States | 1 / 5 | - |
United States |
Residential, Mosquitoes, Termites |
- |
0 |
Score 1/5. |
|
| Green Guard Pest Solutions | 1 / 5 | United States | 1 / 5 | - |
United States |
Residential, Organic, Ants, Rodents |
- |
0 |
Score 1/5. |
|
| Guardian Pest Control | 1 / 5 | United States | 1 / 5 | - |
United States |
Residential, Commercial, Rodents |
- |
0 |
Score 1/5. |
|
| Pest EZ | 1 / 5 | United States | 1 / 5 | - |
United States |
Residential, Ants, Cockroaches |
- |
0 |
Score 1/5. |
|
| Precision Pest Control | 1 / 5 | United States | 1 / 5 | - |
United States |
Residential, Commercial, Termites |
- |
0 |
Score 1/5. |
|
| Superior Pest Control | 1 / 5 | United States | 1 / 5 | - |
United States |
Residential, Commercial, Rodents |
- |
0 |
Score 1/5. |
|
| Wingman Pest Control | 1 / 5 | United States | 1 / 5 | - |
United States |
Residential, Ants, Mosquitoes |
- |
0 |
Score 1/5. |