Carpenter Ant (Winged Alate)

Typically found in moist or decaying wood, such as tree stumps, hollow logs, or damp structures within buildings.

Opportunistic omnivores that consume proteins (other insects) and sugars (honeydew from aphids or fruit juices); they do not eat wood but excavate it for nesting.

Winged reproductives (alates) emerge in mass 'swarms' during spring or early summer to mate and establish new colonies; they are primarily nocturnal foragers.

Risks: Can cause structural damage to homes by excavating galleries in wood. Benefits: Act as decomposers in the forest ecosystem by breaking down dead wood and serve as a food source for other animals.