Carpenter Ant Control in New York City
East Village

Carpenter ants are among the largest ants you'll find, making them much easier to spot than tiny household ants. Depending on the species, they can be black, reddish-black, or a combination of red and black, and they typically range from 1/4 inch to over 1/2 inch long. Unlike termites, carpenter ants have a narrow "waist," elbowed antennae, and don't actually eat wood. Instead, they chew through it to create smooth tunnels where they build their nests. If you notice large ants wandering around your home, especially after sunset, they could be carpenter ants searching for food.

These ants prefer damp or water-damaged wood because it's easier to excavate, making leaky roofs, window frames, decks, porches, and crawl spaces ideal nesting locations. Outdoors, they commonly live in dead trees, tree stumps, landscape timbers, firewood piles, and rotting logs. As their colonies grow, they often create satellite nests inside homes, allowing them to spread from one area of the structure to another. They're most active at night, following invisible scent trails to collect sweets, proteins, insects, and even pet food before returning to the colony.

While a single carpenter ant won't cause much trouble, a thriving colony can slowly weaken wooden structures over time. As they expand their tunnels, they can hollow out wall studs, beams, window frames, and other structural wood, especially where moisture problems exist. Homeowners may notice small piles of sawdust-like material called frass beneath tiny openings, rustling sounds inside walls, or winged reproductive ants appearing indoors during spring. Catching an infestation early can prevent extensive structural damage and keep repair costs from climbing as the colony continues to grow.