Noises in the wall? Could be a carpenter ant satellite nest

What’s Going On?

Randy Bilesky BScF CPA RPF

President at Go Green

June 11, 2025

• Carpenter ants don’t eat wood, but they chew through it to build nests.
• A satellite nest is a secondary colony, often built indoors (like in wall voids), while the main nest is outdoors in a tree, stump, or deadwood.
• If you’re hearing chewing, it’s likely a serious infestation — they’re expanding the nest or foraging.

🚩 Signs of Carpenter Ants in Walls

• Faint rustling or chewing noises, especially at night.
• Frass: piles of sawdust-like material near walls or baseboards.
• Large black ants, especially winged ones (swarmers).
• Soft or hollow-sounding wood.

🛠️ What You Should Do

1. Locate the Nest

• Try to find entry points: gaps, holes, or areas where frass is appearing.
• Carpenter ants often nest near moisture — leaky pipes, roof leaks, or bathrooms.

2. Treat the Nest

• Dust insecticides like boric acid or diatomaceous earth can work if applied directly.
• Insecticidal foams can penetrate wall voids.
• Use ant baits to feed the colony — they take the poison back to the nest.

3. Call a Professional

• Since it’s a satellite nest in a wall, call Go Green Pest Control experts, highly recommended.
• We help track down both main and satellite nests and ensure total removal.

4. Long-Term Prevention

• Fix moisture problems.
• Seal gaps, vents, and entry points.
• Remove wood piles or tree stumps near your home.
• https://gogreenpestcontrol.ca/noises-in-the-wa…t-satellite-nest
• https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/noises-wall-could-carpenter-ant-satellite-nest-randy-bilesky-ewtrf