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July 21, 2025
There's nothing quite like escaping to the camp for the weekend—fresh air, the smell of pine trees, and loons calling on the lake. But if you're sharing your cabin with uninvited guests like ants, it can put a real damper on the peace and quiet. Whether it's a line of little black ants marching across your counter or large carpenter ants making a home in your walls, ant problems at the camp are more than just a nuisance—they can be a sign of a bigger issue.
Why Are Ants a Problem in Maine Camps?
Ants are always on the lookout for food, water, and shelter, and seasonal homes often give them exactly what they need. Camps and cabins tend to sit vacant for days or weeks at a time, which gives ants uninterrupted time to explore cracks, crevices, and structural vulnerabilities.
Plus, many camps have:
- Wooden construction (perfect for carpenter ants)
- Damp conditions (ideal nesting environments)
- Unattended crumbs or spills (especially early in the season)
Even a single weekend visit where food is left out or moisture goes unnoticed can invite ants inside.
Common Ants Found in Maine Camps
At Pine State Pest Solutions, we get a lot of calls about these culprits:
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Big, black, and destructive. They don’t eat wood, but they tunnel through it to build their nests, which can lead to serious structural damage over time. |
Small brown or black ants that give off a rotten smell when crushed. They’re often found trailing along kitchen counters in search of sweets and moisture. |
These small ants often build nests under stones or cracks in foundations and sometimes find their way indoors, especially if food is left out. |
Signs You’ve Got an Ant Problem at the Camp
Not sure if you’ve got an ant issue or just a few stragglers? Here are some common signs that ants may have settled into your camp:
- Ants crawling on kitchen counters, windowsills, or inside cabinets
- Small piles of wood shavings (a sign of carpenter ants nesting in the walls)
- Rustling sounds coming from behind walls or ceilings
- Ant trails leading in from doorways or foundation gaps
Don’t Ignore Ants at the Camp
Carpenter ants, in particular, can go unnoticed for months or even years. If they’ve set up shop in the framing of your camp, the longer they’re left untreated, the worse the damage can get. Even nuisance ants can contaminate food and become hard to control once they establish a colony indoors.
How to Prevent Ants from Taking Over
- Seal it up
Caulk cracks around windows, doors, and the foundation. Don’t forget where pipes or wires enter the building. - Clean up food
Wipe down counters, store food in sealed containers, and avoid leaving pet food out. - Fix leaks
Carpenter ants are especially drawn to moisture-damaged wood. - Trim trees
Keep branches from touching your roof or siding, as ants often use them as bridges.
Need Help Exterminating Ants at Your Camp?
Whether you're dealing with a minor annoyance or a full-blown carpenter ant infestation, Pine State Pest Solutions is here to help. We offer targeted ant treatments and ongoing home pest control plans to keep ants and other pests out all year long.
You can rely on our locally owned and operated pest control company to take care of the ants so you can enjoy camp as it should be—quiet, relaxing, and pest-free.
Contact us today to schedule an inspection or learn more about ant control at your Maine camp. We service camps, cabins, and seasonal homes in Auburn, Casco, Belgrade, Naples, Poland, Raymond, and throughout Central and Southern Maine.
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