Carpenter ants are one of the most damaging pests in homes across the Greater Toronto Area. While they donāt eat wood like termites, they chew through it to build their nests, silently causing serious structural damage over time.
If left untreated, a small colony can quickly grow into a costly problem, especially in hidden areas like wall voids, basements, and attics. Acting early is key to protecting your home and your peace of mind.
How to Identify Carpenter Ants
Carpenter ants are largeātypically 6 to 12 mm longāand are usually black or reddish-black. They have a narrow waist, elbowed antennae, and sometimes wings if they are reproductive swarmers (often seen in spring and early summer).
Common signs of an infestation include:
Sawdust-like shavings near baseboards or windows (called frass)
Rustling sounds coming from inside the walls, especially at night
Live ants appearing in kitchens, bathrooms, or basements
Hollow-sounding wood when you tap surfaces
If you see these signs, itās likely thereās a nest hidden inside the structure of your home.
Why Carpenter Ants Are a Serious Problem
Carpenter ants arenāt known for biting, but their damage to wood structures can lead to:
Weakened support beams
Damaged window frames and siding
Long-term moisture issues due to tunneling
They prefer moist or previously damaged wood, which makes basements, crawl spaces, bathrooms, and wood siding their favorite spots. If ignored, repairs can easily cost thousands.
What Attracts Carpenter Ants?
Like most pests, carpenter ants come for two things: shelter and food.
They love moist environments and will often nest near:
Leaking pipes
Wet wood from roof damage
Humid basements or attics
While they donāt eat wood, they feed on sweets, pet food, meat, and anything greasy or protein-rich. Open garbage, crumbs, and even pet bowls can attract them indoors.
Why DIY Methods Usually Donāt Work
Sprays and traps from the store may kill visible ants, but they donāt reach the main colony. Often, if the colony feels disturbed, it will split and form multiple nestsāa process called ābudding.ā This makes the infestation even harder to eliminate.
Professional treatment is the only way to fully locate and remove both primary and satellite nests.
How Vanish Pest Control Solves the Problem
At Vanish Pest Control, we offer a complete Carpenter Ant Removal Package designed to eliminate the infestation and keep them from coming back.
Our process includes:
Detailed Inspection: We find the nest using expert tools and experience.
Targeted Treatment: We apply long-lasting products in the right places to destroy the colonyānot just the workers.
Entry Point Sealing: We help seal cracks, gaps, or holes to stop re-entry.
6-Month Warranty: Youāre covered with follow-up support and optional reinspection.
We service homes across Toronto, Newmarket, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Markham, and beyond.
Why Homeowners Trust Vanish
Weāre locally owned, licensed, insured, and passionate about solving pest problems with care, honesty, and real results. Our team uses proven solutions and treats your home with respect and professionalism.
Most importantly, we educate you on how to prevent future infestationsābecause we believe prevention is just as important as treatment.
Final Thought: Donāt Wait Until Itās Worse
The biggest mistake homeowners make is waiting. By the time you hear carpenter ants, theyāve likely been there for a while. The sooner you act, the easier and more affordable the solution.
Book Your Free Inspection Today
Call us now to schedule your Carpenter Ant Inspection or fill out the form on our website. We offer same-day service, and all our work is backed by a 6-month warranty.
š 437-436-2831
š§ info@vanishcanada.com
Let Vanish Pest Control handle the problemāso you can get back to living pest-free.
