Carpenter ants are among the most troublesome pests you can encounter in your home. While they don’t eat wood like termites, they tunnel through it to build their nests, which can lead to significant structural damage over time. If you’ve noticed large black ants marching through your kitchen or shed, it’s likely that these uninvited guests have made themselves at home. While professional services like ants pest control in Perth offer long-lasting solutions, there are a few DIY methods homeowners can try before calling in the experts.
This article walks you through simple, effective, and safe DIY techniques to help keep carpenter ants at bay. From cleaning strategies to natural repellents and monitoring tips, you’ll learn how to protect your home and stop the infestation in its tracks.
Identify the Problem Before Taking Action
Before you jump into solutions, it’s essential to confirm what you’re dealing with. Unlike other common household ants, carpenter ants are larger (typically 6–12 mm) and are most active at night. You may hear rustling sounds inside walls or spot piles of wood shavings, often referred to as “frass,” near wooden structures—clear signs of nesting activity.
Another indicator is the presence of winged ants in spring or summer, often confused with termites. While DIY methods can be effective, large infestations or repeated sightings should prompt you to consider pest control in Perth services to avoid deeper structural damage.
Remove Attractants and Seal Entry Points
Carpenter ants enter homes in search of food, moisture, and shelter. By eliminating these sources, you can make your home less inviting to them.
Start by wiping down kitchen surfaces and storing food in airtight containers. Crumbs, sugary spills, and pet food are major attractants. Fix any leaking pipes, taps, or roofing issues, especially in basements or bathrooms where humidity levels are higher. Carpenter ants are particularly drawn to damp or decaying wood.
Once you’ve tackled food and moisture, seal all potential entry points. Use silicone-based caulk to seal cracks in walls, window frames, and door sills. Check electrical wiring, cable holes, and plumbing access areas for unsealed gaps. These small efforts can greatly reduce the chances of infestation and may even prevent the need for a pest inspection in Perth down the line.
Use Natural Repellents and Deterrents
Nature offers a few potent and eco-friendly ways to drive carpenter ants away from your home. Essential oils like peppermint, tea tree, and citrus are well-known ant deterrents. Mix a few drops with water and spray around entry points, along baseboards, and behind appliances. These oils not only repel ants but leave your home smelling fresh.
Diatomaceous earth (DE) is another effective option. This fine powder, made from fossilised algae, is non-toxic to humans and pets but lethal to insects. Sprinkle it around suspected nesting areas, especially under decks or near foundations.
You can also create your own bait traps using a mix of sugar and boric acid. The sugar lures the ants, and the boric acid slowly kills them, allowing them to carry the poison back to their colony. If you suspect the nest is hidden behind a wall or in timber, applying these methods early can help reduce the need for white ant treatment in Perth services in the future.
Track and Monitor Ant Movement
Monitoring is crucial for identifying nests and gauging how effective your treatments are. Carpenter ants often follow consistent trails from their nest to food or water sources. If you notice a trail, follow it to try and locate the nest, which may be in hollow wood, wall voids, or behind insulation.
Use bait stations or sticky traps along the trails to monitor activity. These help track how many ants are present and can even reduce their numbers over time. Mark trail paths with chalk or tape to keep track of any changes in movement patterns.
Avoid disturbing the nest directly unless you’re confident it’s accessible and manageable. Otherwise, incomplete removal can cause the colony to scatter and create satellite nests, worsening the problem. This is why tracking is an important first step before escalating to professional help like ant pest control Perth.
When to Call the Experts
While these DIY methods can be highly effective in smaller infestations, carpenter ants are notoriously resilient. If you’ve applied these solutions and still notice signs of activity, or if damage becomes apparent in walls, window frames, or roofing structures, it’s time to seek professional help.
Professional exterminators can conduct thorough inspections using moisture meters and thermal imaging to detect nests behind walls and in hard-to-reach areas. They also have access to targeted treatments that are far more potent and long-lasting than consumer-grade solutions.
So if you’ve reached your wit’s end, or simply want peace of mind, don’t hesitate to call Ants Pest Control Perth at 0862444282 or email us at info@antspestcontrolperth.com.au today.