Early detection is the best solution to prevent a small problem of ants from escalating into a much bigger one. One of the most evident indications of an infestation is through the appearance of ant trails. Ants will leave a trail of pheromones from their nest down to a food source, commonly leading them to places such as your kitchen or pantry. Tracing the trails they make is, however a visible indication that there are ants raiding your household for food and more. They may also visibly build nests out in the open, or otherwise within walls under floors, sometimes even inside wooden cabinets. It's easy for carpenter ants to be confirmed since you get to see such tiny piles of sawdust adjacent to cracks on holes in your wood. Visible signs of wood damage is another critical indicator. Carpenter ants will make small holes and tunnels as they go through the wood, and you will hear an empty sound if you tap on them. This means in case of such signs, it's time to seek professional exterminators since things might get worse.