Carpenter ants are turning up in more homes across New Brunswick, and pest control experts say the damage can be costly.
Tyler Seymour, a technician with Adams Pest Control, said more than half of his service calls this season have been for carpenter ants — far more than he expected.
“I figured most of our sprays would be for wasps or something like that,” Seymour said.
“But a lot of it seems to be carpenter ants.”
Unlike termites, carpenter ants don’t eat wood. They tunnel through it to build nests, often in damp areas like kitchens and bathrooms.
Seymour said moisture is one of the biggest factors that draws them inside.
“The damage can rack up pretty quickly,” he said.
Seymour explained that in one case, a homeowner in Fredericton discovered an infestation during a bathroom renovation.
The ants had built a nest behind the vapour barrier, and several beams had to be replaced.
“It was lucky that they found it when they did,” Seymour said.

Early signs of carpenter ants include small piles of sawdust near baseboards, rustling sounds in walls, or ants appearing near food.
Seymour said infestations often go unnoticed until repairs are needed, and that Adams Pest Control uses a two-step approach to treat homes.
The exterior is sprayed to stop more ants from getting in, and a gel bait is used inside to eliminate the colony.
Seymour recommends calling a professional at the first sign of a problem.
While store-bought products are available, he said they’re usually not strong enough to fully deal with an infestation.
“Our sprays are guaranteed for the year,” he said. “If they come back, we come back. There’s no extra fee.”
Carpenter ants have been reported in several parts of the province, including Moncton and Fredericton. Seymour said the issue doesn’t appear to be limited to one area.
Homeowners are advised to check for signs of moisture, seal up cracks and gaps, and keep food areas clean to help prevent infestations.