dge at night, and watch them scatter. The Ohio State University Extension says if you spot 20 or more indoors, in the daytime near one location, there may be a well-established colony in the home. But if you see only a few, they may be foraging from a nest outside. Workers travel up to 100 yards from an outside nest in search of food.
Many extension service Web sites offer detailed descriptions. The short take? Carpenter bees are like bumblebees: big, round, and buzzing. But bumblebees have dense yellow hairs on the abdomen and large pollen baskets on the hind legs -- and they nest in the ground, while carpenter bees nest in wood.
Carpenter ants are usually larger than other ants, often 3/8 - to 1/2-inch long, and have one node, or segment, at the waist between the two main parts. If you're finding wood damage and need to distinguish between carpenter ants and termites, here's the comparison. Carpenter ants have dark-colored bodies, narrow waists, elbowed (bent) antennae, and are frequently seen in the open. Termites are light-colored, have no waist constriction, straight antennae and are rarely seen outside their colony.
For carpenter ants, caulk any openings into the house. Utility lines are a favorite highway. Also dry out, or replace wet, decaying wood. The next step, by yourself or after hiring a pro, is to find the nest. The University of Minnesota Extension suggests a stealthy approach: setting bait -- some honey and bits of tuna fish -- then watching between sunset and midnight using a flashlight with a red film over the lens. As ants can't see red, the idea is not to startle them as they lead you straight back to the nest. Piles of sawdust are another giveaway. Professionals typically drill small holes and shoot insecticide dust into the nest area. Boric acid is one do-it-yourself remedy. But the University of Minnesota Extension says "there are no insecticides available to the public that are labeled for this type of application." If the nest is exposed they suggest a liquid or aerosol, ready-to-use ant insecticide. Remember, before using any insecticide, read the label, and follow directions and safety precautions.
For carpenter bees, coating worn exterior surfaces with a polyurethane or oil-base paint will help. But the best bet is simply to plug the hole. Caulking can sag and shrink. Exterior-grade wood putty works better. Or drive a half-inch-diameter dowel into the hole with some glue, and cut to leave a flush surface.