Carpenter Ant Facts & Information

What do carpenter ants look like?

Carpenter ants are large ants, typically measuring between 1/4 to 1/2 inch in length. They are usually black, but some species can be red, brown, or a combination of colors. They have a distinctively narrow waist and elbowed antennae.

What do carpenter ants eat?

Carpenter ants feed on a variety of food sources, including sweets, proteins, and other insects. They do not eat wood; instead, they tunnel through it to create nests, preferring damp or decayed wood.

What sort of habitat do carpenter ants live in?

Carpenter ants are commonly found in wooded areas, nesting in dead or decaying trees, logs, and stumps. In homes, they often nest in wood structures, especially where there is moisture damage, such as in walls, floors, and roofs.

How do carpenter ants commonly behave?

Carpenter ants are mostly nocturnal and forage at night, traveling in trails to and from their nests. They create smooth, clean galleries in wood, which are often mistaken for termite damage. Unlike termites, carpenter ants do not consume wood but remove it to expand their nests.

Did you know this about carpenter ants?

Carpenter ants can cause significant structural damage if left unchecked, as they can hollow out large sections of wood to create their nests. Interestingly, they can travel considerable distances in search of food and water, often leading to satellite nests that support the main colony. Carpenter ants are also known for their ability to establish multiple nesting sites, which makes controlling them more challenging.