Carpenter ants in Michigan are more than just a nuisance. While they don’t eat wood like termites, they carve tunnels through it to build nests, often inside your walls. Left unchecked, they can weaken structural components and become a costly problem for homeowners in areas such as Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, and throughout the state.
You might not see the damage right away. That’s what makes carpenter ants such a hidden threat. They quietly expand their nests in crawl spaces, attic beams, wall voids, and other hard-to-spot areas, making it easy to miss the warning signs until there’s already structural damage.
In this article, you’ll learn how to spot a carpenter ant infestation, why these ants are especially active in Michigan homes, and what steps you can take to prevent or eliminate them.
Key Takeaways
- Carpenter ants don’t eat wood but still cause severe structural damage by tunneling through it to build nests, often in hidden areas like wall voids, attic beams, or crawl spaces.
- Michigan homes are especially at risk due to the state’s damp climate and older housing stock, which create ideal nesting conditions for moisture-loving ants.
- Signs of infestation include frass (sawdust-like debris), rustling sounds in walls, and the presence of large black ants indoors, especially during winter, which is a strong indicator of an indoor satellite nest.
- DIY solutions often fall short, as over-the-counter baits may not reach hidden colonies of pests. Professional pest control is typically needed to locate and eliminate both primary and satellite nests.
How to identify carpenter ants in Michigan
Carpenter ants are among the largest ants you’ll see in Michigan. Most are black or dark brown, and workers can be up to half an inch long. If you notice winged ants (called swarmers) inside your home, especially in late spring or early summer, that’s a big red flag; these are reproductive ants looking to start new nests.
One way to tell you’re dealing with carpenter ants is by their behavior and where they’re found. These ants tend to travel in slow-moving lines and are often found in kitchens, bathrooms, or near damp areas, such as crawl spaces or foam insulation. They’re drawn to moisture, making areas with water damage beautiful nesting sites.
What makes carpenter ants a hidden threat?
Unlike termites, carpenter ants don’t eat wood, but they still cause structural damage by tunneling through it to build their nests. And because they often nest inside walls, behind siding, or in attic rafters, a carpenter ant infestation can grow for months or even years before you realize what’s happening.
Many homeowners confuse carpenter ants with black ants or pavement ants. But while those species are more of a nuisance, carpenter ants can quietly hollow out wooden beams, wall voids, and window frames, weakening your home from the inside.
They don’t always build just one nest, either. A central carpenter ant nest may be outside in a tree or stump, while satellite nests develop indoors. These satellite nests are where worker ants forage for food, often drawn to sweet spills, pet food, or grease in your kitchen.
Signs of a carpenter ant infestation
Keep an eye out for:
- Sawdust-like material (frass): Carpenter ants push this out of their tunnels. You might find it below baseboards, windowsills, or attic beams.
- Rustling noises in walls: Especially at night, when worker ants are most active.
- Damaged wood: Wood may sound hollow when tapped or crumble easily when touched.
- Live ants: Seeing large black ants, especially in winter months, suggests they’re nesting indoors.
Why Michigan homes are vulnerable
Michigan’s climate creates the perfect conditions for carpenter ants. Damp springs and humid summers increase moisture buildup, which softens wood and attracts ants looking for decaying or damaged wood to nest in.
Older homes, homes with leaky roofs or plumbing issues, and those with wood siding or decks are more likely to be affected.
Suppose you live in areas like Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, or Lansing. In that case, it’s essential to watch for signs during spring and early summer, when ants begin swarming and establishing new colonies.
How to get rid of carpenter ants
Getting rid of carpenter ants requires finding and treating both the main and satellite nests. This can be tricky without professional help, especially if the nest is hidden inside walls, crawl spaces, or under insulation.
While over-the-counter ant bait might seem like a quick fix, it’s often ineffective on carpenter ants unless you know where their nest area is. If bait is ignored or only reduces ant activity temporarily, it’s time to call a local pest control expert.
Pest Pros of Michigan offers thorough inspections to identify carpenter ant nesting sites, both inside and outside your home. Our licensed team uses a range of safe and proven ant control methods to eliminate the colony and help you prevent future infestations.
Tips to prevent a carpenter ant problem
You can reduce your risk by:
- Fixing roof leaks and plumbing issues promptly
- Replacing water-damaged or decaying wood
- Keeping firewood and mulch at least 10 feet from your home
- Sealing gaps around windows, doors, and utility lines
- Cleaning up food spills and storing pet food in airtight containers
Don’t confuse carpenter ants with termites
Carpenter ants and termites both damage wood, but they exhibit distinct behaviors. Termites eat wood from the inside out, while carpenter ants hollow it out for nesting. You’ll often see mud tubes and discarded wings with a termite infestation; carpenter ants leave behind frass and don’t build mud tunnels.
If you’re unsure which pest you’re dealing with, a professional inspection is the best course of action.
Whether you’ve just spotted a few large black ants or you’re dealing with recurring frass around windowsills, it’s smart to act quickly. Early detection and proper treatment can prevent long-term structural damage and keep your home pest-free through every season.
Need help identifying or dealing with carpenter ants? If you’re in Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, or nearby areas, Pest Pros of Michigan can inspect your home and help protect it from unseen damage. Call us today to schedule your carpenter ant inspection.
FAQs
What’s the difference between carpenter ants and black ants?
Black ants are usually smaller and less destructive. Carpenter ants are larger, and their ability to damage wood makes them a more serious concern in homes.
Do carpenter ants only infest homes in the summer?
While they’re most active in warm weather, indoor satellite nests can remain active year-round, especially in heated spaces during the winter months.
Can I treat carpenter ants myself with ant bait?
DIY ant bait may help reduce visible ants, but it won’t solve the problem unless it reaches the colony. For complete removal, especially with hidden nests, professional pest control is recommended.
