Carpenter Ants

They can, though differently. Carpenter ants don't eat wood — they excavate it to build smooth nest galleries, usually in wood already softened by moisture or decay. A small foraging trail is mostly a nuisance, but an established colony tunneling for months or years inside damp framing can weaken structural wood over time. That's why early identification matters: catching them while the damage is limited, and fixing the moisture issue, prevents a much larger repair later.

Most carpenter ants come in from outside rather than starting indoors. They're attracted to moisture and decaying wood, so leaky windows, plumbing, and water-damaged framing draw them in. They typically enter through tree limbs or branches touching the roof, or through gaps around utility lines, vents, and the foundation. Once inside, they'll establish satellite nests in damp wall voids while the main colony may still be outdoors in a tree stump or woodpile.

Surface sprays and store-bought bait may kill visible ants, but they rarely reach the nest, and carpenter ants frequently build a parent colony plus hidden satellite colonies inside walls and moisture-prone voids. Without locating and treating those, the colony keeps producing foragers. A licensed technician inspects for activity, moisture issues, and nesting sites, then uses targeted void injections plus a perimeter treatment to address the source — often paired with recurring service so new colonies don't re-establish.