How to get rid of Carpenter ants? Another answer. Use Chlorox. Pest killer told me about this industry "secret

There is a great product on the market (the ONLY one that worked for me) called "Grants Kills Ants". I bought it at Lowe's but a friend got it at Wal-Mart (mine didn't have it).

It might be a good idea to call the store first to make sure they have it.

I bought bait traps...I think there are 10 in a pack, and they also sell loose granules in a plastic container - you sprinkle outside your house.

This stuff (thankfully) REALLY works!

Diatomaceous earth will cut through their exoskeleton and they will dehydrate and die.

" A very fine dusting of diatomaceous earth around the perimeter base of the home will discourage all insects from crossing it to gain entry. This is short term and should be repeated frequently in the spring, summer and fall."

This advice is from Dr. Lauren Hansen, Ph.D., probably the most highly respected source of knowledge about carpenter ants among entomologists and pest control professionals around the world.

"Carpenter Ants", published by The University of Kentucky, provides the following recommendations for killing carpenter ants once their nests have been located. It says if the nest is within a wall, a small hole can be drilled and boric acid can be "puffed" into the suspected nest areas. "The boric acid powder will disperse in the hidden void and contact and kill the ants."

http://www.ca.uky.edu/entomology/entfacts/ef603.as...

Borax is used in commercial ant baits. Some people use use a 1:1 mix of sugar and 20 Mule Team Borax detergent... Sprinkling the mixture in hard to reach places (away from pets) or put the sugar/Borax mixture in a small plastic margarine container with holes punched into it.

Dr. Hansen likes using Diatomaceous earth, but disagrees with using Borax for Carpenter ants:

http://www.pestcontrolcanada.com/getting_rid_of_ca...

After getting rid of the ants, using Chlorox wipes out their trail. Spray a solution of water containing 2% bleach.

For prevention, exposed wood, or areas around the house having moisture should be kept dry, trim tree limbs that come in contact with your house, don't store firewood too close to your house, cracks and other openings should be sealed, & food should be stored properly.

Good luck! Hope this helps.

The old experience to protect wood against carpenter ants was to rub some gasoline (or white oil) in to the unpainted wood. The odor makes them escape and not get near. you don't have to use so much, which will affect your own life (for its bad odor), but helps for some few spoons for a medium house. just draw a line (a continuous line) around where they come from, just on the surface. They will not pass the odored area.

How ever, i am not so expert in killing insects.