Carpenter ants might look harmless, but they can be a warning sign of hidden trouble inside your home. In this episode of All About Home Construction, we dig into carpenter ant damage, how to spot the early signs, and why they’re often tied to moisture problems rather than just “bugs in the house.”

We talk about what carpenter ants actually do to wood, how to tell them apart from termites, and where homeowners in Western North Carolina are most likely to find damage—crawl spaces, window sills, roof leaks, and damp framing areas.

We also break down real-world treatment options: what sprays can and can’t do, when borax or boric acid baits might help, and why simply killing the ants you see isn’t enough to solve the problem. Most importantly, we cover the big picture—fixing moisture issues so they don’t come back.

If you’ve ever seen large black ants inside your home or noticed sawdust-like debris around trim or baseboards, this is an episode you’ll want to hear.