To get rid of ants,it is necessary in most cases to locate their nest or colony and spray it thoroughly with an insecticide. Carpenterants do not eat wood the way termites do, but they do chew it and hollow it out to create a nesting spot. They like dampness, so they will often build their nests near a leaky pipe or gutter, or near the bottom of a damp, hollowed-out post. For control, this colony must be located and treated-even if it means ripping some walls open. A professional exterminator should be able to locate and treat the nest.