Carpenter Ant Swarmer (Winged Alate)

Natural Habitat

Nests are typically found in moist or decaying wood, such as tree stumps, logs, and structural timbers in homes with high moisture levels.

Diet & Feeding

Does not eat wood, but instead forages for protein and sugars, including insects (dead or alive), honeydew from aphids, and household food scraps like sweets and meats.

Behavior Patterns

Alates are the reproductive members of a colony. They emerge in large 'swarms' during the spring or summer to mate and establish new colonies. Once a queen mates, she loses her wings; the males die shortly after.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: While they do not eat wood, they can cause significant structural damage to homes by excavating galleries for nesting. Benefits: In nature, they are crucial for forest decomposition, breaking down dead wood and recycling nutrients into the soil.

Identified on: 4/4/2026