Carpenter Ant Alate (Swimmer)

Natural Habitat

Nests in moist or decaying wood, such as tree stumps, logs, and structural timbers in homes.

Diet & Feeding

Honeydew, nectar, fruit juices, and protein from other insects; they do not eat wood, but excavate it to create nests.

Behavior Patterns

Alates are the reproductive members of the colony that emerge in swarms to mate and establish new colonies, typically during warm, humid spring or summer evenings.

Risks & Benefits

Benefits: Aid in the decomposition of dead wood in nature. Risks: Can cause significant structural damage to homes by hollowing out wooden supports for nesting.

Identified on: 4/6/2026