8 Ways to Get Rid of Carpenter Ants

Carpenter ants can be a pain to deal with. These ants create their nests in wood, which means that they often infest the infrastructure of houses. Luckily, you have several different ways to get rid of them. Try to use some methods for both inside the nest and outside. Pest Control Ajax Exterminator, which does pest removal in Ajax, has shared some of the best ways to get rid of carpenter ants.

1: DIY Bait

Some people choose to start with home remedies before using chemicals. You can make ant bait from home by using the following ingredients:

• 1 part boric acid
• 10 parts sugar water
• food for bait

Mix the boric acid and sugar water together. Then, add in some food for the carpenter ants to eat. Place the food in any areas where the carpenter ants visit often.

According to Pest Killed, the sugar water lures the ants in. The boric acid will kill the ants. The food is one of the best ways to get the ants to ingest the boric acid. This may need to be done a few times, but it’s worth it!

2: Ant Killer

There are several products designed to kill ants. These may be sprays or foams. To use them, you can simply spray near a carpenter ant nest. You can also spray inside of the nest, if possible.

These usually kill on contact. They work for all kinds of insects, but try to find one made for carpenter ants. This will be more effective than a generic insect or ant killer. You can use ant killer inside your home or outside.  

3: Ant Bait

Liquid ant bait is a good way to get rid of any type of ant. The ants pick up the liquid bait. Then, they bring it back to their nest, where the colony eats it.

The liquid ant bait is sweet-tasting so it works for ants that eat sugary substances. According to Terro, carpenter ants sometimes eat sweets. You can buy bait made for carpenter ants specifically.

If you use liquid ant bait, place it in an area away from any repellants. The ants won’t eat the bait if they are avoiding the repellent.

4: Diatomaceous Earth

This is an all-natural way to get rid of carpenter ants. Diatomaceous earth (DE) is made out of the skeletal remains of algae-like plants. To use DE, you should inject it into the nest. A medicine dropper or a bulb duster works best.

According to DIY Natural, you should buy food-grade DE. If you buy food-grade DE, you don’t have to worry about it harming your children or pets. This has the correct ingredients for pest control. When the ants ingest it, the sharp pieces will cut the insect’s body. This dries out their bodies and causes damage.

It’s a good idea to do this regularly so that the carpenter ants don’t find a new place to invade.

5: Boric Acid

If you’re looking for a simple way to get rid of carpenter ants, this is for you. All you need to do is spray boric acid on the carpenter ants’ nest. This then poisons the ants and the others in their colony.

Boric acid may be in liquid, tablets, dust, and many other forms. Spraying it is an easy method, but you can give another form a try too!

To be safe, you should be cautious not to spray boric acid on any electrical wires.

6: Boiling Water

If your carpenter ant problem is located outdoors, you can use boiling water. To do this, you must know where the nest is located.

To start, boil a large pot of water. Then, dump it directly into the nest. Be cautious when working with such hot water. You may want to try this several times to ensure that you kill all the ants.

7: Soap and Water

A mixture of soap and water works to kill carpenter ants. It’s toxic to them. You can combine one part dish soap and two parts water in a spray bottle. This can be done as often as needed until the ants are gone.

8: Call an Exterminator

Sometimes it’s best to let the professionals handle these problems. They have the necessary expertise to fix things quickly.

An exterminator will start by inspecting the infestation. They will track down the nest. Then, they will ensure that it is a carpenter ant problem and not termites. From there, they may remove the nest or treat the problem.

An exterminator is a good idea because they have the skills and equipment needed. They have experience in treating different infestations and can handle this too.

You can give each of these methods a try to see what works best. You may find success with a combination of products. Don’t forget that you can contact a professional if needed. This can help to get the problem under control most efficiently.