Tacoma homeowners can relate to the work involved in keeping up their homes in the Pacific Northwest climate, but another danger lurks behind the scenes. Carpenter ants do not just pop by to say hello; they invade, chew through paintwork and wood, and cost thousands of dollars to fix. These black invaders especially love Tacoma’s old houses and the damp atmosphere given off by our regular rain.
Early detection means the difference between a minor repair and a major structural repair. Otherwise, if you see anything irregular, calling the Saela Pest Control will save you time, money, and your home.
Why Tacoma Homes Are Vulnerable to Carpenter Ants
The Climate Factor
Tacoma’s climate practically opens the door to carpenter ants. With our city averaging 152 days annually of precipitation, we provide the moisture these pests need to flourish. You know the drill: bugs are attracted to wet or rotten wood, and let us be honest, it is nearly impossible to keep wood absolutely dry here in Tacoma.
Aging Housing Stock
City data shows that Tacoma houses are old, with nearly 60% built before 1980. Those older homes may have wood-framing weaknesses, obsolete moisture obstacles, and thin fissures through which carpenter ants take advantage. Historic neighborhoods like the North End and Old Town are particularly vulnerable to this.
Proximity to Wooded Areas
Tacoma occupies the boundary between civilization and the woods. With Point Defiance Park, the Gulches, thousands of treed streets, and rot-prone timber homes, carpenter ant colonies are never far away. They usually build nests in dead trees or stumps and survey nearby houses for potential growth.
Year-Round Activity
Carpenter ants remain active in Tacoma’s mild winters, unlike some pests that hibernate. Our average winter temperature stays around 45°F, plenty warm enough for the ants to continue foraging and growing their colonies in heated homes.
Cedar Siding and Decks
The Northwest is known for its cedar siding and decks, which can be a nice feature for many Tacoma homes. Even though cedar is naturally rot-resistant, it is ideal real estate for carpenter ants to establish satellite colonies once it has weathered or become damaged.
Early Signs of Carpenter Ant Infestation
- Sawdust piles (frass): Excrement made up of wood dust that appears similar to pencil-sharpening remnants near baseboards, window sills, or door frames. This frass is clean and free of ant poop, unlike termite droppings.
- Rustling sounds in walls: A soft crackling or rustling sound, particularly at night when the house is still. When ants are tunneling through the wood, you hear it —like crinkled cellophane.
- Winged ants indoors: Large black ants with wings seen indoors in late spring months (locally March through June) indicate that reproductives are being produced by a nearby mature colony.
- Hollowed or damaged wood: Wood that knocks hollow when tapped or shows smooth, gallery-like tunnels after being opened up. The outside may look fine, but the wood is compromised on the inside.
- Large black ants trailing: Seeing large black (typically ½ inch) ants making their way down a particular route, usually at dusk or after dark. They are generally going for food or water.
Do You Really Need Professional Help?
The simple truth is that when it comes to carpenter ants, DIY rarely works 100% of the time. These are not sugar ants that vanish with a bit of spray. Carpenter ants live in colonies that can include a parent nest and a number of satellite nests. You can zap the workers you see, but the queen and main colony are often in wall voids or outside your home entirely.
Tacoma residents dealing with a carpenter ant problem have come to rely on the experts at Saela Pest Control. They know the unique challenges our region presents, including moisture concerns and the types of construction found in Pierce County neighborhoods. Instead of just treating ants that you see, their method focuses on locating the source colony.
