Understanding Carpenter Ants
Carpenter ants are one of the largest ant species you're likely to see in and around your home. These ants can grow up to ½ inch long and vary in color from solid black to reddish-black or even a combination of red and black.
What Makes Carpenter Ants Different?
Unlike termites, carpenter ants don’t eat wood but burrow into it to create their nests. This means they can weaken wood structures over time, especially in areas with moisture. Outdoors, they often build colonies in dead trees or stumps, but once they find damp or decaying wood near your home, they’ll quickly move inside.
Another clue? Carpenter ants are mostly nocturnal. If you hear faint rustling in your walls at night or see large ants emerge after dark, there’s a good chance they’re carpenter ants.
For more detailed information, check out our Carpenter Ant Pest Guide.
Common Ant Species in The Woodlands Area
Not every ant in your home is cause for alarm. Several ant species are common in Southeast Texas, and most don’t pose a structural threat. Here’s a quick overview of the ants we most often encounter in the region.
Crazy Ants
Crazy ants are invasive pests known for their unpredictable movement, massive colony sizes, and ability to infest electronics and appliances. Unlike other ants, they don’t rely on scent trails, making them much harder to control with DIY methods.
Fire Ants
Easily recognized by their reddish color and aggressive behavior, fire ants build large mounds in yards and can deliver painful stings. While they don’t damage structures, they can be a serious safety concern.
Pharaoh Ants
Tiny and yellowish in color, pharaoh ants are often found in warm, humid indoor environments. They’re particularly troublesome in hospitals and commercial buildings.
Knowing which type of ant you're seeing is the first step toward effective control. When in doubt, our team at Marathon Pest Control can help with identification and recommend the right solution.
Key Differences Between Carpenter Ants and Other Ants
It’s easy to confuse carpenter ants with other species, especially since ant behavior can vary based on environment and season. Here’s how to tell them apart more confidently.
Physical Appearance
Carpenter ants are noticeably larger than most other ants, ranging from ⅜ to ½ inch long. They also have a single node between their thorax and abdomen, and their thorax is evenly rounded when viewed from the side.
If you see winged ants inside your home, look closely: carpenter ant swarmers have two pairs of wings, with the front wings longer than the hind wings.
Nesting Habits
Carpenter ants excavate wood to make their nests, creating smooth tunnels that can weaken structures over time. Other ants, like odorous house ants or fire ants, prefer soil, mulch, or wall voids and won’t burrow through wood.
If you find piles of sawdust-like material near windows, door frames, or baseboards, it could be frass—debris pushed out by carpenter ants as they carve galleries in wood.
Damage Potential
Regular ants may be annoying, but carpenter ants are destructive. Left unchecked, they can cause significant structural issues that require costly repairs. Early detection is key.
Signs of a Carpenter Ant Infestation
Recognizing the signs of carpenter ants early can save you time, money, and stress. If you notice any of the following, it’s time to give us a call.
Frass (Sawdust Piles)
Carpenter ants remove wood debris as they tunnel, leaving behind piles of frass. You may find this near wooden window sills, baseboards, or areas where water damage has occurred.
Rustling Noises in Walls
At night, when the house is quiet, you might hear faint tapping or rustling sounds inside your walls. This could be a sign of carpenter ants actively expanding their nest.
Winged Ants Indoors
A swarm of large, winged ants inside your home, especially during spring or early summer, often means a mature colony is nesting nearby.
Hollow-Sounding Wood
Tap on wooden structures around your home. If they sound hollow, it could indicate internal tunneling caused by carpenter ants.
Preventive Measures and Control
Prevention is always the best strategy, but once carpenter ants have moved in, professional treatment is typically necessary to fully eliminate the colony. Here’s how you can reduce your risk.
Prevention Tips
- Keep firewood, tree stumps, and lumber at least 20 feet away from your home.
- Repair leaks and ensure good ventilation to avoid moisture buildup in wood.
- Seal cracks around doors, windows, and the foundation.
- Trim tree branches and bushes so they don’t touch your home.
These simple steps can go a long way in deterring carpenter ants and many other pests.
Professional Ant Control
Ants can be stubborn and difficult to fully eliminate without targeted treatment. Our team at Marathon Pest Control uses proven methods to identify nests, eliminate colonies, and prevent future activity.
We offer quarterly home pest control services to monitor and protect your home year-round.
Why Choose Marathon Pest Control
We’re not a national franchise or call center—we’re a locally owned company serving Magnolia, The Woodlands, and surrounding communities. We know the pests in this region and how to treat them effectively.
Our pest control programs are built around Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principles, combining careful inspection, preventative strategies, and targeted treatment. We stand behind our work with honest recommendations and service you can trust.
To learn more about who we are and what we do, visit our about us page.
Schedule Your Carpenter Ant Inspection Today
If you're unsure whether the ants in your home are just a nuisance or a bigger problem, don’t wait to find out the hard way. A professional inspection can provide peace of mind and stop carpenter ants before they cause serious damage.
Contact Marathon Pest Control today to schedule your ant inspection or ask about our quarterly pest control services. We’ll help you take the guesswork out of pest control—and keep your home protected.
