I recently moved into a new house and have been hearing soft chewing sounds for about two weeks, especially near the bathroom window. Last night, I found some dark shavings on the floor under the window, and when I looked closely, I noticed about a quarter-inch of the wall beneath the window sill looks like it's been chewed away. From what I've gathered, carpenter ants might be the culprit. I've set some traps around the area, but I'm looking for advice on what to do next. Should I replace the window for better access or trim the neighbors' trees that are blocking light? Any recommendations for products or best practices would be greatly appreciated!
2 Answers
It sounds like you're dealing with carpenter ants, and they often come from the outside. Just a heads up, they usually won’t fit in standard ant traps. Since you're considering replacing the window, that could give you better access to the problem area, but keep in mind that these ants often tunnel in from the exterior. Good luck!
Definitely call an exterminator! They can treat the whole house and help with a termite bond, since carpenter ants can signal possible termite issues. In the meantime, using a straw to spray RAID into the wall could be effective—just stick with name brands; they work better than off-brands. Once you've tackled the bug problem, plan on removing the drywall to assess the damage. If you can, hire a contractor for repairs, but if you're on a budget, do some research on DIY fixes for carpenter ant damage. YouTube has some great tutorials that can guide you through the process!
I'll definitely try spraying into the wall while I wait for the exterminator!