Hey everyone,
I’ve been noticing a steady line of carpenter ants marching along the wall in my garage, especially late in the afternoon. They’re following a pretty clear trail, but I can’t figure out where they’re coming from or where they’re heading. From what I’ve read, the nest could be somewhere in the garage walls… or it could be completely outside and they’re just using my garage as a highway.
Carpenter ants are sneaky. Sometimes the trail looks obvious, but it leads to a small crack you would never think twice about.
Try watching them around dusk. That’s when mine were the most active, and it helped me see which direction they were coming from.
If you see piles of what looks like sawdust near the baseboards or around the garage door frame, that’s a big clue they’re nesting inside.
@HomeToolHarry Yep, the “frass” piles were what gave mine away. I didn’t even know what I was looking at until someone told me.
They don’t always nest inside. Mine were actually living in a rotting railroad tie outside and just using the garage for cover.
Where they’re coming from and where they’re going. Sometimes the food source is closer than the nest.
Had this happen last summer. The trail went behind my water heater, and the nest was inside an old, damp 2x4. Total nightmare.
If you tap on the wood and it sounds hollow, that’s a red flag. Carpenter ants love damp, softened wood.
@AntScout92 I did the tapping trick too, and it actually worked. I found my nest behind a storage shelf I never move.
You might need to clear out a few boxes or move things around. They love hiding behind stuff that never gets touched.