Black Carpenter Ant

Natural Habitat

Typically found in forested areas, nesting in damp or decaying wood including logs, tree stumps, and hollow trees, but can also infest man-made structures.

Diet & Feeding

Omnivorous; they feed on plant juices, honeydew from aphids, and other insects. They do not eat wood but excavate it to create galleries for nesting.

Behavior Patterns

They are primarily nocturnal foragers. These ants maintain a social colony structure with a queen, workers, and winged reproductive members. They are known for 'satellite' colonies that extend from a parent nest.

Risks & Benefits

Benefits include aerating soil and aiding in the decomposition of old wood. Risks include potential structural damage to homes and buildings if they tunnel into structural timbers, though they prefer wood that is already soft or moist.

Identified on: 5/13/2026