Carpenter Ant

Natural Habitat

Nests in damp, decaying wood, tree stumps, and hollow logs, or within moisture-damaged structural wood of buildings.

Diet & Feeding

Omnivorous; feeds on proteins (dead insects) and carbohydrates (honeydew from aphids, nectar, and sweet household scraps). They do not eat wood.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal foragers that chew through wood to create smooth galleries for nesting. They exhibit social hierarchy with a queen, workers, and winged reproductive ants (swarmers).

Risks & Benefits

Benefits the ecosystem by speeding up wood decomposition and preying on other pests. Risks include structural damage to wooden buildings if infestations are left unchecked.

Identified on: 4/2/2026