Carpenter ants construct two types of colonies: the main colony (sometime called “parent colony”), which contain the queen, young larvae, and workers and satellite colonies, which nest inside the structure and contain pupae, mature larvae, winged male and female reproductives (swarmers) and workers.
Ants from satellite nests are what homeowners will most likely see inside their home.
Carpenter ants carefully deposit debris called “frass” outside their nest via a slit-like opening called a “kick-out hole”. Frass may contain coarse sawdust, wood fragments, soil, and insect parts. Small cone-shaped piles of frass can be seen by homeowners.
Examining the kick-out hole near any frass will lead to smooth and sandpapered galleries (nest).
Carpenter ants habitually build their satellite nests around rotted window sills or door frames and around sinks or other moist, poorly drained places near kitchens and bathrooms. However, satellite nests do not need as much moisture as the main nest (where eggs are found) and can be found throughout a home, even in dry areas such as hollow doors and insulation.
Parent nests are always built outdoors and located in decaying or rotten wood such as in a tree, stump, woodpile, or landscaping materials.
Carpenter ant workers make a distinctive clicking sound (like crinkling cellophane) inside the wall.