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No. Carpenter ants range far when seeking out food, usually proteins or sugars. They may be attracted to dead pests near your house, or crumbs in the kitchen or pantry. That doesn’t necessarily mean you have an infestation, or that there is a nest nearby. However, it does mean that the ants have found a way to enter your home, so it’s time to be vigilant.

It’s very rare that home insurance covers an exterminator. Pest problems aren’t covered under standard home insurance. They’re typically considered ongoing events that could have been prevented, which makes them ineligible. Some insurance companies will specifically ban termite and rodent services because costs can be high. However, a sudden and unstoppable infestation, especially one that resulted because of a sudden event like storm, may be covered. Call your insurance company and ask about the details if you aren’t sure.

A rodent infestation often has a distinctive, unpleasant smell. The most common odor is a strong, musky scent, similar to stale ammonia, which comes from mouse urine. As the infestation grows, the smell can become more intense. You might also notice a foul, decomposing odor if mice or rats die inside the walls or hidden areas. This combination of smells is a clear sign of a rodent problem and should prompt immediate action to address the infestation.

When woodpeckers start banging on your walls or roof, they are probably looking for insects to eat, storing nuts for winter, drilling a hole to make a nest, or communicating with other birds to establish territory or find a mate.

The size of the hole can help determine the reason for the pecking. Small irregular holes are a result of insect hunts. Acorn holes are more consistently sized and often fitted with a nut in the middle. Nest holes are large and have rounded edges. If the bird is pecking to mark its territory or attract a mate, it may leave dents rather than holes, and the noise will stop when the mating season starts in spring.