How to Kill Carpenter Ants

Carpenter ants come in all different sizes, shapes and colors but they are all in the same category and can be dealt with in the same way.

There are some misconceptions surrounding carpenter ants. Many people believe that carpenter ants eat wood as termites do. They do not eat wood, they live inside it. Carpenter ants will burrow into wood and create their homes. Sometimes they will do this in wood that has been previously eaten by termites.

Carpenter ants actually feed on proteins. If you choose to kill carpenter ants with bait, check to be sure you are purchasing a protein based bait. These will sometimes work with carpenter ants as some will choose to take the bait but it often does not take care of an entire colony.

The best way to get rid of a colony of carpenter ants is with dusts and sprays. You need to discover where the colony is living and then try to find a trail. The best place to use dust for ants is along their trail.

Ants are constantly grooming themselves. When they walk through the dust it will stick to their bodies so when they groom themselves they are ingesting it. This is a great way to kill an entire colony of carpenter ants.

There are many safe dusts on the market. Choose a dust that is botanical or mineral based such as one that contains boric acid. Boric acid contains half of the toxicity of table salt and is therefore considered very safe.

EcoSMART is a company that provides many safe, bio pesticides. Some are so safe that they are actually exempt from EPA regulations.

Any termiticide spray will also effectively kill a colony of carpenter ants. It is a good idea to spray under the eaves of your home as carpenter ants like to use that trail to enter the attic.

Make sure that what you are dealing with are actually carpenter ants. Carpenter ants will have a pinched body while termites have a long, straight body.

Be sure to read labels on any pesticide you choose and follow directions carefully. If you do this, you will be able to safely and effectively rid your house or yard of carpenter ant colonies.