Finding large black ants inside your home can be concerning, especially when you start seeing them repeatedly.
Carpenter ants are one of the most common pest issues we encounter throughout the West Kootenays. While they don't eat wood like termites, they excavate galleries inside wood to create nesting sites. Over time, large colonies can expand and become increasingly difficult to control without identifying and addressing the source of the infestation.
At Selkirk Pest Control, we help homeowners throughout Nelson, Castlegar, Trail, Kaslo, Nakusp, and surrounding communities identify, treat, and prevent carpenter ant infestations.
While carpenter ants are the most common ant problem we treat in the West Kootenays, we also provide treatment for odorous house ants, pavement ants, and other nuisance ant species.
Carpenter ants are among the largest ants found in British Columbia.
Common characteristics include:
Many homeowners mistake carpenter ants for termites. Unlike termites, carpenter ants have narrow waists, elbowed antennae, and larger, more distinct body segments.
Seeing one carpenter ant does not necessarily mean you have a nest inside your home.
However, repeated sightings may indicate a nearby colony.
Common signs include:
Carpenter ants are constantly searching for food and suitable nesting locations.
Colonies are often attracted to:
Many infestations begin outside and expand toward structures over time.
Throughout Nelson, Castlegar, Trail, Kaslo, and Nakusp, we frequently find carpenter ant activity associated with:
Because the West Kootenays has abundant forest cover and many homes are located near natural habitat, carpenter ant activity is common throughout the region.
Many over-the-counter treatments kill the ants homeowners can see while leaving the colony intact.
This can create the impression that the problem has been solved when the nest remains active nearby.
Successful carpenter ant control typically involves:
Every carpenter ant infestation is different.
Our process begins with an assessment of the property to understand where the ants are active, how they are accessing the structure, and what conditions may be contributing to the problem.
Depending on the situation, treatment may involve:
Our goal is not simply to reduce visible ant activity but to help achieve long-term control.
While no property can be made completely immune to carpenter ants, several steps can help reduce the likelihood of future infestations:
Selkirk Pest Control provides carpenter ant control services throughout:
If you're seeing large black ants in your home, don't wait until the problem grows.
Contact Selkirk Pest Control for a professional assessment and learn how we can help protect your home and restore your peace of mind.
Send us a photo and we'll help identify them.
Nelson, Castlegar & Surrounding Communities <West Kootenays, British Columbia, Canada>
Phone or Text 250-608-4960
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