Carpenter ants
A nest in the wall means water in the wall
Carpenter ants don't eat wood. They tunnel in wood that's been wet, so the ants are a symptom, and the leak is the cause.
What you might see
Large black ants in spring, fine wood shavings near a sill, and a faint rustling in a wall on a quiet night.
Where we look
Sills, porch posts, around the chimney, under bath and kitchen walls, and any place a gutter has overflowed.
What we do
Find the nest, treat it and the trails, and mark the damp wood so you can have it fixed.
What you do
Fix the leak, trim branches off the roof, and dry the wall. We can't treat a leak.
Old wood
Wet wood in an old house is common
Old sills sit close to the ground, and old gutters overflow. A moisture meter tells us where the wood is wet, and a flashlight tells us where the ants are going. We tell you about both.
Questions about carpenter ants
Do carpenter ants eat the wood?
No. They tunnel in it to nest, and they do the most harm where the wood is wet.
Will one treatment end it?
Not always. It depends on the nest and where it is. We say so in the report, and we write down what we'd check next.
Is that a termite?
Carpenter ants have a narrow waist and bent antennae. Termites are rare in Vermont, but if you're unsure, send us a photo or call.
Book a walk-through
We bring a moisture meter and a flashlight.