6 Carpenter Ant Prevention Tips To Keep Ants Out Of Your Home
April 28, 2026
Termites have earned their reputation as troublemakers for homeowners in Iowa, but did you know ants also pose a threat to your home? Carpenter ant infestations in particular can wreak havoc on wooden structures in your house, causing damage to support beams, floors, decks, attics, walls and more. And once carpenter ants have invaded, they’re difficult to contain, rapidly expanding their colony to include thousands of ants burrowing into wood throughout your home. To protect your home from structural damage, carpenter ant prevention is critical to keep infestations away, and professional ant removal can go one step further by eliminating carpenter ants at the source to prevent recurring issues.
What Are Carpenter Ants?
Carpenter ants are one of the largest and most destructive ant species found in Iowa and throughout the U.S., growing up to ¾ inches long. True to their name, they seek out moist wooden environments to tunnel into to form their nests. Damp or decayed wood is especially attractive to these pests, so they’re most commonly found by windows, doors, plumbing fixtures or near leaks in homes. Structural elements like wooden beams, studs and framing are also hot spots for carpenter ant infestations. Without the appropriate ant pest control measures, carpenter ants find gaps to sneak into your home and continue to multiply rapidly behind closed doors.
Proactive Pest Control Tips For Carpenter Ants In Your House
Because carpenter ant colonies grow so quickly, homeowners should practice smart carpenter ant prevention to limit the chance for infestations to spread. These ants target moist wood to form their nests both indoors and outdoors, so nowhere is off limits without purposeful pest control for ants in and around your house. Proven prevention methods include:
1. Trim Trees Or Bushes That Touch Your Home’s Roof Or Siding.
Carpenter ants tend to seek shelter within the wood of trees or bushes surrounding your home. To keep them from making the move indoors, perform routine outdoor maintenance, like pruning or tree trimming, to ensure they don’t come in contact with the structure of your house. Even the stump of a tree can act as a nest for carpenter ants, so don’t leave any wooden debris behind.
2. Repair Any Rotting Wood
Because carpenter ants are attracted to decomposing wood, routinely check for signs of rot or wear on wooden structures in your home to catch potential nesting areas early. Rotting wood often indicates another underlying concern like a leak is present, so looking for and repairing weather-damaged or deteriorating wood around your home can prevent a carpenter ant infestation and help resolve other issues.
3. Avoid Storing Firewood Directly On The Ground Or Near Your Home
Placing firewood too close to your home is a simple and common mistake made by homeowners throughout the summer and winter months. The more space there is between your home and nearby woodpiles, the more successful your carpenter ant prevention efforts will be. Do your best to keep wood off the ground, as well, so carpenter ants don’t form nests within the woodpile itself.
4. Get Rid Of Wood-To-Soil Contact
As a homeowner, one of the worst things you can do to leave your home susceptible to pests is allow soil to come in direct contact with wood, which happens when structures like porches, decks or door frames rest directly on or in soil. Instead, ensure any structures are placed on a cement barrier or another support for better ant pest control, preventing easy access for ants that already thrive in the soil.
5. Analyze Your Foundation
Like with other rotting wood, your home’s foundation is a potential beacon for carpenter ants that may seek shelter in the damaged wood or find entry into your home through cracks or gaps. Carefully inspecting your foundation for structural issues can allow problem areas to be fixed before a carpenter ant infestation takes root.
6. Clean Your Gutters
After the winter months, don't forget to check your downspouts and gutters before the spring rainy season sets in. Many homeowners don’t realize that cracked, leaking or overflowing gutters create excess moisture around a home’s foundation, exactly what carpenter ants look for to build a nest. Cleaning your gutters is an essential component of effective ant pest control in Des Moines.
How To Get Rid Of Carpenter Ants Inside Your House
Even with all of the right carpenter ant prevention solutions in place, you can’t always avoid an infestation. To remove carpenter ants from your home, consider purchasing dust-based insecticides or liquid sprays from your local home improvement store to target and trap ants. If you don’t want to use DIY methods or your DIY approach isn’t working, professional ant control services are the most surefire way to eliminate infestations at the source.
Professional Ant Removal Services For Carpenter Ant Infestations
Tricky carpenter ant infestations are best left to professionals experienced in ant removal without putting families at risk of exposure to toxic chemicals. Targeted pest control for ants in an infested house starts with a thorough inspection to identify entry points and locate nesting areas. An inspection allows professionals to effectively target the entire colony by eliminating the nest and ensuring new ants don’t continue to spawn. At Preferred Pest Control, our ant pest control services in Des Moines include both interior and exterior treatments using safe, low-odor insecticides and baits to neutralize infestations.
When To Use Professional Ant Control Services
Ant control services are a good idea for any homeowner up against an infestation, but professional ant removal is especially beneficial to wipe out destructive carpenter ant colonies before they cause serious damage. Professionals prevent recurring issues and control large infestations that DIY solutions can’t manage. If you’re overwhelmed by carpenter ants in your home or simply looking to take a proactive approach, Preferred Pest Control offers preventive pest control treatments to keep your home free of destructive ants.
Connect With Preferred Pest For Ant Pest Control Services In Des Moines
Getting rid of ants is no easy feat, especially when they burrow into hidden structures in your home. But have no fear because Preferred Pest Control has decades of experience tackling carpenter ant infestations in Des Moines, targeting not only the ants you can see around your home but also finding ants at the source to prevent them from returning. Explore our service bundles for seasonal pest control at your convenience, including carpenter ant prevention solutions. Call us at 515-717-7644 or schedule an appointment online to get started with ant pest control services today.