Can Ants Damage Timber in Homes?

Carpenter Ants

Most homeowners associate timber damage with termites. However, another pest can also cause problems inside wooden structures — the carpenter ant.

While carpenter ants do not eat timber like termites, they excavate wood to create nesting galleries. Over time, this tunnelling can weaken timber structures, particularly in areas where wood has been exposed to moisture.

Because carpenter ants often remain hidden inside walls or roof voids, infestations may go unnoticed until signs of activity begin to appear around the home.

What Are Carpenter Ants

Carpenter ants are a species of ant known for their ability to nest inside timber structures.

They are usually larger than most common household ants and are typically black or dark brown in colour. Carpenter ants commonly establish nests in timber that has been softened by moisture, allowing them to excavate tunnels more easily.

Unlike termites, carpenter ants do not eat wood. Instead, they hollow out timber to create galleries where the colony can live and expand.

As these tunnels grow over time, timber structures can become weakened if infestations are left untreated.

Signs of Carpenter Ant Activity

Carpenter ants can be difficult to detect in the early stages because the colony typically nests inside timber structures where it remains hidden during the day.

Homeowners often first notice carpenter ants through small signs of activity rather than seeing the nest itself.

Common indicators may include:

• Large black ants appearing indoors, particularly in the evening

• Fine sawdust-like wood shavings appearing below timber (Frass)

• Large black ants seen indoors at night

• Timber sounding hollow but clean inside

• Faint rustling sounds inside walls or roof voids at night

Carpenter Ant Frass

The sawdust material sometimes found near timber is known as frass, which carpenter ants push out of their nesting galleries as they expand their tunnels.

Because this material resembles the debris produced by termites, it can sometimes cause homeowners to worry they may have a termite problem.

Carpenter Ants vs Common Household Ants

Many ant species enter homes searching for food, particularly sugary substances. These ants are usually considered nuisance pests and typically nest outdoors in soil, gardens or under paving.

Carpenter ants behave differently.

Rather than simply entering homes for food, carpenter ants may establish nesting galleries inside timber structures such as wall framing, roof timbers, decks or window frames.

While most ants do not damage timber, carpenter ants can weaken wood over time as their nesting tunnels expand.

Carpenter Ants vs Termites

Carpenter ants are sometimes mistaken for termites because both pests can be associated with timber structures.

However, the way they affect timber is quite different.

Termites

• Eat timber as a food source

• Create mud galleries within wood

• Often remain hidden inside structural timbers

Carpenter Ants

• Tunnel through timber but do not consume it

• Push out piles of fine sawdust (frass)

• Often nest in damp or decaying wood

Key Facts About Carpenter Ants

• Carpenter ants are a common household pest in many parts of Australia.

• Unlike most ants, carpenter ants may establish nests inside timber structures.

• Carpenter ants do not eat wood but excavate it to create nesting galleries.

• They are often attracted to timber that has been affected by moisture

• Small piles of fine sawdust (known as frass) near timber surfaces may indicate carpenter ant

• Carpenter ants are often most active in the evening, when worker ants leave the nest to forage for food.

Carpenter Ant Control in Brisbane

Results Termite & Pest Control Services provides professional ant control across Brisbane using targeted treatment methods designed to eliminate carpenter ant colonies.

Our technicians may use specialised treatments including Termidor® professional ant baiting systems designed to eliminate the colony and prevent reinfestation.

For added peace of mind, we also provide a 6-month guarantee on black ant treatments.

If you are noticing unusual ant activity around your home or signs of carpenter ant damage, early inspection and treatment can help prevent colonies expanding further into timber structures.

Call (07) 3823 2500 to discuss carpenter ant control.