Carpenter ants are generally beneficial insects. They help decompose trees in forests excavating rotten trees, stumps and logs to create their nest. They forage in trees and feed on the the sugary droppings of aphids and any other protein they can gather including other insects.

Carpenter ants are large black bodied insects. Queens can be three quarters of an inch long and exist to reproduce. Worker ants build nests and fan out from the nest searching for food.

When nests reach a large enough size, Carpenter ants will grow wings and swarm. This is usually when people interact with the ants. They will fly into homes and onto porches and land in pools.

Carpenter ants can do damage to wooden structures. Structurally sound wood in buildings is safe. The ants only excavate water damaged rotten wood. Unlike termites, the ants do not eat the wood. They shred it into small pieces that can be found lying about near ant activity.

Property owners should inspect their crawlspaces, attics, walls, floors, barns, etc. for signs of carpenter ant damage. Look for piles of shredded wood and worker ants. If you find carpenter ants are harming your home, call a local pest control company to treat the affected area. Also, hire a contractor to address the wet rotten wood and stop any leaks.

Biology and Control of Carpenter Ants