In fact, carpenter ants are one of the most common insect pests found in homes in Kentucky and across the United States. As they hollow out wood, carpenter ants can cause structural damage, but Potter says it's rare for Kentucky homeowners to find anything worse than localized damage to wood trim. With a little patience and a dab of honey, Potter says homeowners can track down carpenter ant nests. The first step, says Potter, is knowing where to look. But when carpenter ants come into the house to forage, they often create satellite nests indoors.
Homeowners can locate nests by focusing on water leaks and hollow cavities.
Ants prefer to nest in moist wood around sinks, dishwashers, showers, bathtubs, and roof leaks, but they also inhabit hollow places behind walls, beneath insulation, or within doors, curtain rods, ceiling beams and porch columns. Potter recommends using something sweet to lure carpenter ants from their indoor hiding spots. After the ants have fed on the honey, follow them to the nest. But sooner or later they'll disappear behind a baseboard, cabinet, or some other hidden location near the nest. For ants that disappear into a wall, Potter says homeowners can locate the nest by tapping along the surface.