Pictures of Damage

Anyone have experience with Carpenter Ants? I’ve been seeing tons of large ants around house for last 6-12 months so I finally decided to do something about it. I’m assuming this is the main nest that I’ve uncovered when I ripped out all the fascia and trim.

Is there a way to treat these damaged areas or should I continue to rip out the larger 2x16 that has tunneling and a soft spot? The last thing I want to do is fix all of this and have to redo it again if they come back or I don’t get the full nest. Any help appreciated.

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Posted by ItzMe1972

Member since Dec 2013

12587 posts

Posted on 5/4/23 at 3:10 pm to CalcuttaTigah

I'd hose down the area and see what's behind the mud/tunnels. It may not be that bad.

Was there a leak/water source that attracted them?

This post was edited on 5/4/23 at 3:13 pm

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Posted by CalcuttaTigah

Member since Jul 2009

1000 posts

Posted on 5/4/23 at 3:51 pm to ItzMe1972

There is a gutter issue I’m working to get resolved on second story in a couple weeks but it doesn’t seem to be related. I do suspect there is or at some point was some source of water that runs down that area from the balcony. Perhaps previous owners (moved in a year ago) water plants there on balcony.

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Posted by 2 Jugs

Saint Amant

Member since Feb 2018

2350 posts

Posted on 5/4/23 at 6:38 pm to CalcuttaTigah

That is termite damage. Looks like a hollow brick column.

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Posted by CalcuttaTigah

Member since Jul 2009

1000 posts

Posted on 5/4/23 at 6:52 pm to 2 Jugs

It is a hollow brick column, it seems. Does that have any impact on how I would address? I do have a termite policy but they only address the problem, don’t make repairs.

Is that typical damage for termites? When I pull it all back, i see nothing but big carpenter ants in there.

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Posted by CalcuttaTigah

Member since Jul 2009

1000 posts

Posted on 5/4/23 at 7:07 pm to CalcuttaTigah

Here is some more closeups if it helps anyone with knowledge

LINK

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Posted by ItzMe1972

Member since Dec 2013

12587 posts

Posted on 5/4/23 at 8:19 pm to CalcuttaTigah

Might as well have termite inspection being you have coverage.

I suspect ants.

BTW...nice screwdriver.

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Posted by 9rocket

Member since Sep 2020

1713 posts

Posted on 5/4/23 at 8:29 pm to CalcuttaTigah

Yeah, carpenter ants, but it looks like some termite mud tunnels off to the sides. Someone probably had the termite treatment and that might be old termite damage.
Stop the moisture and the ants will go somewhere else. Spray some ant killer regardless.

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Posted by 98eagle

Member since Sep 2020

3169 posts

Posted on 5/6/23 at 10:15 am to CalcuttaTigah

You might want to try one of the Ant Gels before using ant poison to make sure you kill the whole ant nest and queen. You can use the gel inside or outside, just apply it where kids and pets can't get to it. You could apply drops of it or short strips of it on the wood where you see the ants. Just put it right in the trail they are walking on.

Here's an earlier post of mine. Carpenter Ants were driving us crazy and the ant gel wiped them out and I haven't seen a Carpenter ant in the house since then.

Advion Ant Gel

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