Ants are among the most common household pests in Maryland. While we’re never happy about having them as visitors, few things are as annoying as when ants decide to build their colony in your walls.
Not only does this make them more difficult to remove, but it can also lead to serious damage over time.
The scary thing about ant colonies hidden in walls is that they can go unnoticed for long periods. Thankfully, there are some telltale signs to look out for.
When you do determine that there is an infestation hiding in the walls, the key is to act fast before it grows, leading to even bigger problems.
Why Ants Nest in Walls
Some species of ants prefer to live underground in ant hills, while others are drawn to the narrow, dark voids inside the walls to build their ant colonies.
These locations place them near food sources and shield them from predators in a climate-controlled environment. They want to be there for all the same reasons that we do.
Big carpenter ants are well-known for building colonies in walls. Unfortunately, their stay isn’t harmless. On top of general pest activity, this species of ant burrows into the wood itself, which can lead to structural damage to your home.
Signs of Ant Activity Inside Walls
It’s not uncommon to see ants in a house. Their presence alone isn’t enough to determine that they have built a colony in your walls. So, how do you know that they have? Here are the signs of ant activity in walls to watch for:
- Faint rustling or tapping inside the walls
- Piles of sawdust-like material (carpenter ant frass)
- Occasional sightings of ants in the wall, entering and exiting cracks
- Trails leading to food crumbs, pet bowls, or spills
Rustling in the walls will be quiet and hard to detect from a distance. You may need to put your ear right to the wall to hear the ants in a hidden colony.
Piles of sawdust-like material, or carpenter ant frass, indicate that the ants are in your walls.
You can also track trails of ants leading to a food source directly to the wall their colony is hiding in to know for sure.
Common Ant Species That Nest Inside Walls
On top of general signs that there’s an ant colony in your walls, knowing the species of ants that most typically build their nests can be very helpful information. Below are the three species of ants most likely to do so:
- Carpenter ants – large, black or reddish ants that tunnel through wood
- Odorous house ants give off a rotten smell when crushed
- Pharaoh ants – tiny yellowish ants that spread quickly indoors
Simply spotting these ants in your home doesn’t automatically mean there is a colony in the walls. You will need to look out for other signs to help you determine if they have.
Still, it’s important to act fast and start taking the right steps to treat the infestation before they can if you see any of these ants in your house.
How to Locate an Ant Nest Inside Walls
Determining that you have an ant infestation in your walls is one thing, but locating the colony is another. Because they’re hidden from plain sight, this can be tough to do. It’s not impossible, though.
Start by looking for entry points at all of the typical locations. Any cracks or openings like those found at baseboards, window frames, and utility lines make the perfect opportunity for ants to enter and exit.
Signs that a given crack is the entry point include frass or ant trails leading directly to it. Listening for rustling can also help you pinpoint the colony. In some instances, you will need to remove a section of drywall to physically look at what’s going on behind the walls.
DIY Methods to Eliminate Ants in Walls
Seeking professional help when dealing with ant infestations is always recommended, but it doesn’t mean you can’t treat the problem yourself. In relatively minor cases, DIY methods are perfectly acceptable and can even be highly effective if performed correctly. Here are some steps you can take to deal with ant colonies in your walls:
- Use slow-acting bait stations near active trails—ants carry poison back to the colony.
- Dust insecticides (diatomaceous earth or boric acid) inside voids.
- Remove nearby food sources to reduce attraction.
Ant Prevention Tips
On top of dealing with an ant infestation in your home, you will also need to reduce the chances of them entering it in the first place.
Thankfully, the steps in doing just that are just general housekeeping, with some additional, but minor, mindful precautions to take—none of which are out of the question for DIYers.
Below are some tips to help you prevent ants from making their way into your house:
- Seal entry points with caulk.
- Keep kitchens and dining areas clean.
- Trim tree branches touching your home.
When to Call a Pest Control Professional
There’s never a bad time to call in a professional for help with dealing with an ant problem. In fact, it’s the best place to start if you’re not comfortable with using DIY methods, and it’s the next step to take when they fail to treat the problem.
It’s also recommended to call in a pest control specialist if you confirm that you are dealing with a carpenter ant infestation. Because they can cause serious damage to your home, taking fast-acting measures to eliminate them is of utmost importance.
FAQs
Can I use an ant spray inside the walls?
Not effectively. While sprays kill ants, they don’t penetrate deep enough into the walls to reach hidden nests.
Will sealing cracks stop ants from coming back?
Yes, but only after they’ve been exterminated. Otherwise, they’ll find a new route.
How long does it take to get rid of ants in walls?
Depending on the size of the colony, removal can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks.