What Attracts Carpenter Ants to Australian Properties?

Carpenter Ants: an adult worker and a winged carpenter ant

Carpenter ants are a common pest problem in the Mid North Coast of New South Wales. These large, wood-nesting ants can cause structural damage to homes and businesses, making it essential for property owners to understand what attracts them and how to prevent infestations.

Frass is the term for the wood shavings and debris that carpenter ants produce as they tunnel through wood. Water damage often worsens this issue, as damp wood is more susceptible to infestation and further weakening.

1. Moisture and Water Damage attract Carpenter Ants

Carpenter ants are drawn to damp, rotting wood. Properties in coastal regions, such as Crescent Head and Port Macquarie, are particularly vulnerable due to high humidity levels. Leaky roofs, broken gutters, and poor drainage create ideal conditions for these ants to establish their nests.

Prevention Tips:

• Repair leaking pipes and taps promptly.

• Ensure gutters and downpipes are clear to prevent water pooling.

• Fix any water damage in wooden structures, such as decks, eaves, and window frames.

  
  

2. Decaying or Untreated Wood

Unlike termites, carpenter ants don’t eat wood but burrow into it to create nests. Old sheds, untreated timber, and firewood piles around properties on the Eastern Coast of Australia provide perfect nesting sites.

Prevention Tips:

• Store firewood away from the house and off the ground.

• Replace rotting timber in fences, decks, and outdoor furniture.

• Use treated wood for home construction and repairs.

  
  

3. Accessible Entry Points

Carpenter ants can enter homes through small cracks and openings. Weatherboard houses and older properties often have gaps that make easy entry points.

Prevention Tips:

• Seal cracks and gaps around windows, doors, and utility pipes.

• Use flyscreens and door seals to prevent ants from entering your home.

• Keep tree branches trimmed so they don’t touch the house.

4. Food Sources

While these timber pests prefer to nest in wood, they also forage for food in homes and gardens. Pet food bowls, crumbs, uncovered bins and sugary spills attract carpenter ants.

Prevention Tips:

• Store food in airtight containers.

• Clean up crumbs and spills immediately.

• Keep bins sealed and emptied regularly.

Outdoor attractants for carpenter ants include excess moisture, decaying wood, and food sources like sugary substances or greasy residues. Overhanging tree branches, wood piles, and poorly maintained outdoor structures can also provide easy access points for ants to enter your home. Keeping your yard tidy and managing moisture levels can help deter these pests

5. Garden and Outdoor Attractants

Carpenter ants thrive in areas with abundant mulch, tree stumps, and decaying vegetation. Homes near forests and bushland, such as those in Crescent Head and rural Kempsey, are more prone to infestations.

Prevention Tips:

• Remove tree stumps and deadwood from your yard.

• Avoid using excessive mulch near the foundation.

• Keep gardens well-maintained and free from damp debris.

  
  

Conclusion

Suppose you live anywhere on the eastern Australian coastline. In that case, particularly in the Mid North Coast, North Coast, or Central Coast regions, high rainfall and humidity ensure optimal conditions for timber pest infestations.

To minimise the risk of carpenter ants invading your home, keep your property dry, well-maintained, and free of easy food sources, and don’t forget to book annual timber pest inspections with a licensed professional. However, if you find yourself in the position of needing a fast and effective solution to eliminate these pests for good, hiring a licensed pest control expert is the most reliable way to go.