What is a common sign of carpenter ant activity?

The presence of coarse sawdust is a common sign of carpenter ant activity. Carpenter ants hollow out wood as they create tunnels for nesting. This process results in the production of coarse, granular sawdust, often found beneath the wood where they are nesting. Unlike termites, carpenter ants do not consume the wood, but instead, they remove it to create their home. This makes the sawdust distinctive, as it is more coarse and larger compared to the fine particles created by other wood-destroying organisms.

The other signs mentioned, such as piles of frass, large holes in wood, and brown streaks on wood, are generally associated with different types of wood-destroying insects or moisture issues. Frass is typically associated with termite activity, large holes might suggest damage from woodpeckers or other pests, and brown streaks could be indicative of water damage or staining, rather than direct signs of carpenter ant presence. Understanding these characteristics helps in correctly identifying the pest problem and determining the appropriate course of action for treatment or control.