Carpenter ants are extremely common in Connecticut, and if you think you have an infestation, you will want to take immediate action. While carpenter ants may not directly eat the wood in the frame of your home like termites do, they will burrow their way through the wood, causing structural damage. Here is a closer look at why you do not want carpenter ants in your home, how to identify an infestation, and why you can trust the professional ant exterminators at www.richlandpestbee.com.
Why Carpenter Ants Need to Go
It is commonly believed that carpenter ants will actually eat the wood in your home’s frame just like a termite would, but that is just a misconception. The truth is that carpenter ants build nests within the wood of your home. This means that instead of burrowing through the ground like sugar ants do, carpenter ants burrow through wood. As you can imagine, a bunch of tiny, hollow tunnels throughout your home’s structure is potentially very dangerous. That’s why it is important to contact a professional CT ant exterminator as soon as you suspect a carpenter ant invasion.
Because they often remain hidden deep inside walls or wooden beams, knowing the lifespan of an ant—particularly carpenter ants—helps pest control experts determine how long a colony might have been active and how urgently it needs to be addressed.
How to Identify Carpenter Ants in CT
The most common type of carpenter ant found in Connecticut is the Camponotus pennsylvanicus. They are usually around a half an inch long (which is on the bigger size for ants) and have a heart-shaped head. This particular species is more on the black side when it comes to color; however, carpenter ants can also be red, brown, or a combination of the three colors.
While you can identify CT carpenter ants by actually seeing the insect, more times than not, an infestation is noticed by the shredded wood fragments that are left behind from burrowing. The remains will look very similar to saw dust, and there will likely be either dead ants and/or ant parts mixed in with it.
At this stage, many homeowners begin asking how long do ants live, as it becomes clear that such signs of damage don’t appear overnight and likely point to an established, long-term infestation.
Preventing carpenter ant infestations starts with reducing moisture in and around your home, as damp wood is a prime nesting site for these pests. Seal cracks and entry points in foundations and siding, and ensure trees or branches don’t make contact with the house, creating bridges for ants.
Regular inspections by a carpenter ants exterminator can help catch signs early and implement treatments before an infestation becomes serious.
If you notice frass (sawdust-like debris), rustling noises within the walls, or spot large black ants indoors—especially near wood structures—it’s time to call a carpenter ants exterminator. Acting early can prevent significant damage and the high repair costs associated with structural infestations.
Professional exterminators like Richland Pest & Bee Control have the experience and tools to fully eliminate colonies and implement barriers to prevent reinfestation.
When it comes to carpenter ants in Connecticut, you do not want to take any chances. If you do not successfully eradicate them on your own, you are putting your family and your home in danger. At www.richlandpestbee.com, we have over four decades of experience as an ant exterminator. We know the most effective methods to eliminate the current carpenter ant infestation while also preventing a new one.
Our customers’ safety always comes first, and we promise to use the safest ant removal methods available so that only the carpenter ants are impacted—not your children or pets. To learn more about our highly effective carpenter ant extermination services, contact us now.
Richland Pest & Bee Control is a family-owned pest management company serving Connecticut and Western Massachusetts for over 40 years. Known for their expertise and 5-star customer service, they offer reliable solutions for stinging insects, rodents, and other pests, ensuring homes and businesses stay pest-free.