Should You Call a Pro to Deal with Big Carpenter Ants? | AMPM Exterminators Should You Call a Pro to Deal with Big Carpenter Ants? Noticing Large Ants Around Your Home? If you’re seeing big black ants near your windows, baseboards, or outside walls especially during spring you may be dealing with carpenter ants. These ants don’t eat wood like termites, but they chew through it to build massive satellite colonies inside homes. So when should you call in an exterminator? Here’s how to tell if your carpenter ant problem is more than just a few foragers. DIY vs. Pro Carpenter Ant Control What’s the Difference? For minor activity (a few visible ants), it’s fine to try bait or spot spray. But carpenter ants are experts at hiding in wall voids and structural areas. If the colony goes undetected, they can cause long term damage before you ever see a swarm. DIY Carpenter Ant Control Might Work If: You only see a few ants, usually outdoors or near food. No signs of frass (sawdust like debris). No clicking or chewing sounds in walls at night. You’ve identified and treated a small nest area. But Call a Pro Immediately If You Notice: Frass piles near baseboards or window frames Winged ants emerging inside the house Clicking/tapping sounds from walls Soft, sagging wood or unexplained moisture damage Carpenter ants often nest inside wall studs, eaves, attic insulation, and hollow doors and build multiple satellite colonies that spread quickly. How Pros Handle Carpenter Ants (What DIY Misses) Professional exterminators like AMPM use a multi step strategy to not just kill visible ants, but eliminate the hidden colony too. Species & Nest ID: We distinguish between carpenter ants and similar looking species (like field ants or pavement ants). Thermal or moisture detection: Pinpointing nests in hidden walls or damp beams. Gel baiting & perimeter spray: Baits are taken back to the queen the only way to kill the colony. Structural exclusion: We seal up likely entry points in crawlspaces, vents, and siding gaps. Carpenter Ant FAQs Q: What’s the difference between carpenter ants and termites? A: Carpenter ants chew through wood to build nests but don’t eat it. Termites consume wood. Both can cause structural damage. Q: How big is a carpenter ant colony? A: A mature colony may have 10,000 to 50,000 ants and multiple nest sites (satellites). Q: Can I wait and see if the problem goes away? A: Unfortunately, no. Ant colonies don’t collapse on their own they grow in silence until the damage is severe. Call AMPM Exterminators for Carpenter Ant Inspections Based in Seattle and serving all of King County, we offer fast, expert service for homeowners concerned about carpenter ant activity. 📞 206-571-7580 🔗 Request a carpenter ant inspection 🕒 Open 7 Days a Week | Licensed & Insured Also see: Sugar Ant & Little Black Ant Removal | Seattle Ant Extermination