Carpenter Ant

Carpenter ants typically nest in wood, favoring damp or decaying wood. Common nesting sites include tree stumps, logs, firewood piles, and inside wooden structures of homes (e.g., walls, floors, attics), especially in areas with moisture problems.

Carpenter ants are omnivores. They feed on a variety of foods including insect honeydew, plant and fruit juices, other insects, and household food items such as sweets, meats, and fats.

Carpenter ants are social insects living in colonies. They excavate wood to create nests, but unlike termites, they do not eat the wood. They are most active at night when foraging for food. They often establish satellite colonies in warmer, drier locations.

Potential risks include property damage due to excavation of wood for nesting, which can compromise structural integrity over time. They do not sting, but can bite, especially larger workers, though their bites are not typically harmful to humans. Benefits include their role as decomposers in natural environments, helping to break down wood material, and as predators of other insects.