It's always disconcerting to find that ants have invaded your home, but it can be especially worrying to discover carpenter ants. As the name suggests, the ants can not only infest your food supplies but also burrow into the woodwork of your home. In addition, eliminating carpenter ant nests can be a difficult task.

A few preventative steps can help keep carpenter ants away from your property, and it's also possible to eradicate any ants that try to colonize your residence. But first you'll want to make sure you're dealing with the right pest.

Identification

Carpenter ants are often mistaken for termites, especially when it comes to "swarmers." Ehrlich Pest Control, a chain based in Reading, Pa., says these are larger winged ants that typically indicate that a colony of carpenter ants is nearby.

You're more likely to see carpenter ant workers, which have a few distinct features. The Universty of Minnesota Extension says these insects have a rounded thorax as well as a distinct petiole, or node, on their waist. Other ants are more likely to have an uneven thorax and multiple petioles.

Carpenter ants are most likely to be active during certain seasons and at certain times of the year. They typically come out to forage for food between sunset and midnight, with a particular taste for sweets and meats. The Penn State Department of Entomology says the ants will hibernate during the winter and begin to emerge during the warmer days of late spring and early summer. However, they might also be active during colder times of the year if they have established a nest inside a heated building.

One common misconception is that carpenter ants eat wood. While this is not the case, the insect will burrow into wood and create tunnels for nesting. Carpenter ants often establish their main nests in outdoor areas such as stumps and logs, but can also  create satellite nests inside a home. The University of Minnesota Extension says these sites can include decks and porches, walls, and attic timbers. Nests might also be set up in wood that has been softened by leaks near a bathtub, sink, or other water source.

If you've spotted carpenter ants in the house, you may be able to track down the location of their satellite nest. During their active foraging at night, use a flashlight with a red filter to see where the ants are returning to. You can set out foods such as honey or tuna to bait them.

You may also notice telltale signs that ants have made a nest in your home, such as wood shavings or sawdust. You should inspect your home for areas that might offer entry to carpenter ants, such as branches that touch the roof or firewood stacked alongside a wall or foundation. The Penn State Department of Entomology says the insects are also more likely to be attracted to areas of the home that are damp due to water leaks or poor ventilation.

Carpenter ants will create a rustling sound with their mandibles, especially when agitated. After tapping a wall or other area you suspect might be infested, you can listen for this noise with a stethoscope or water glass.

Elimination

There are several ways to get rid of existing carpenter ants, both inside your home and outside. It is important to destroy both the main nest and all satellite nests, or the ants are likely to return.

Insecticidal dusts can be applied to any nests with no risk to humans or pets. These products can simply be blown into nests and cavities to kill the ants. The University of Minnesota Extension says that if the nest is exposed, aerosol insecticides can also be effective in eliminating ants.

Toxic bait can be carried back to the nest, where it will be shared and poison other ants. In order for this to be effective, you need to set the bait in areas where workers will find and collect it. Monitor any bait you have set and try a different location if the ants are not going for it.

Some treatments can set up a barrier between your home and the likely site of an outdoor carpenter ant nest. Ehrlich Pest Control says liquid insecticides will create a perimeter which ants are unlikely to cross.

Eliminating an outdoor nest is essential for keeping carpenter ants from setting up other satellite nests in the home. The Penn State Department of Entomology says you can look for a carpenter ant nest in a probable location such as a rotted stump, then have this habitat removed from your property or treated with insecticide. You may need to hire a pest control company to find and destroy the main nest.

Prevention

Carpenter ants are more likely to enter your home if it is an attractive location for a satellite nest. While the tunnels in the wood are unlikely to compromise the strength of timbers or other structural elements, replacing damaged wood can help deter further infestations.

Address any areas that might allow carpenter ants entry to the home. The University of Minnesota Extension recommends trimming tree branches that brush against the home's exterior and repairing any water-damaged areas. If you need to store firewood near the home, keep it elevated off the ground and stacked in such a way that it will dry thoroughly. You can also look for any cracks or other points of entry which can be sealed, such as openings around pipes or vents.

Ants may set up a nest in your home if there are ample sources of food and water inside. Ehrlich Pest Control says any food or drink spills should be promptly cleaned up, and food should be covered and stored in containers. Look for any water leaks that need to be repaired.

Check your yard to see if there are any attractive locations for an outdoor carpenter ant nest. Remove stumps, logs, and dead wood within 100 yards of your residence.