Ants · Austin, Texas
Carpenter Ants
Large ants, often two-toned in Texas: a reddish head and thorax with a black abdomen. They have one node at the waist and an evenly rounded back.
Signs you have them
- Large ants trailing at night, especially along branches and utility lines
- Small piles of sawdust-like frass below a wall or beam
- Faint rustling in walls
- Winged ants indoors in spring
Why it matters
They don't eat wood, but they hollow it out to nest. A long-running colony in wet wood can weaken trim and framing.
How we treat it
We treat the exterior with a non-repellent that foraging ants carry back to the nest and place bait inside where they trail. If the technician finds structural damage, that part of the job is bid separately.
Prevention
- Fix roof, gutter, and plumbing leaks
- Trim branches back from the roof and walls
- Replace water-damaged wood
- Store firewood away from the house
From a customer
“My wife and I discovered carpenter ants in our home a week back and got a quick and fairly priced treatment with no hassle and a concise breakdown of what was done.”
Questions
Are carpenter ants the same as termites?+
Where we treat carpenter ants
Season in Central Texas: Active Mar–Oct; peak Apr–Aug.
Magic Pest & Lawn serves Austin and 26 surrounding towns, including:
