Carpenter ants may not eat wood like termites, but they can still cause serious damage by tunneling through it to build their nests. And unlike other ants, they’re not just after your crumbs—they’re after your house. If you've noticed sawdust piles, rustling inside walls, or winged ants around your windows, you might be dealing with an infestation. The good news? These pests work slowly, which gives you time to figure out the best solution. We tapped Dr. Tracy Ellis, an award-winning entomologist at FarmSense, to explain exactly what causes carpenter ants, what (if anything) you can DIY, and when it’s time to call in the pros.
What is the fastest way to get rid of carpenter ants?
“The property owner should be certain of the identity of the pest(s), obtain estimates from professional pest control companies and contractors, and decide on an optimal treatment plan,” says Dr. Ellis. Don’t panic—carpenter ant nests take years to fully establish. Still, proper identification is key, and that often means bringing a sample or photos to a certified entomologist or pest control service. “Even when on-site inspections are conducted,” she explains, “samples or damage collected by the property owner may be critical to making correct identification(s).”
Why do I suddenly have carpenter ants?
“Moist, exposed, and untreated wood—especially wood softened by fungus or rot—is attractive to pest carpenter ants,” Dr. Ellis says. Once they enter through soft spots, they’ll tunnel into otherwise sound wood in beams and walls. To prevent this, “property owners should remain vigilant… to protect structures with any wood elements from chronic moisture exposure,” she says. Annual inspections can help, but so can everyday fixes: replace rotten wood, seal utility holes, fix leaky pipes, and trim branches or remove stumps near the house.
Does Dawn dish soap or vinegar kill carpenter ants?
Soapy water? Yes—but only directly. “The soap acts as a surfactant, breaking down the waxy protective layer on the ant’s exoskeleton,” says Dr. Ellis. That can kill the ants it touches, but it won’t affect the colony. As for vinegar, “it does not kill carpenter ants,” she clarifies. Its acidic smell may disrupt their pheromone trails temporarily, but “this effect is short-lived… and it does not impact the nest or the colony’s survival.”
What’s the best homemade carpenter ant killer?
According to Dr. Ellis, “truly effective ‘homemade killers’ for carpenter ants are limited.” While soapy water works on ants you can see, it won’t eliminate the root of the problem. “For a persistent carpenter ant problem, the focus must shift from simply ‘killing’ individual ants to ‘managing’ the entire infestation by targeting the nest,” she says. That’s why expert help is often necessary—especially if you want to reach the queen and put an end to the colony for good.
Tierney McAfee is a freelance writer and Country Living and The Pioneer Woman contributor who covers entertainment, holiday & entertaining, food & drinks, design ideas, DIY, and more.
