Carpenter Ant Alate (Swearmer)

Natural Habitat

Nests are typically found in moist or decaying wood, hollow trees, firewood, and structural timbers of buildings.

Diet & Feeding

Omnivorous; they eat honeydew, plant juices, and other insects. Unlike termites, they do not eat wood, they only excavate it for nesting.

Behavior Patterns

Alates (winged ants) emerge during nuptial flights to mate and establish new colonies, often after heavy rain in spring or summer. They are primarily nocturnal or crepuscular.

Risks & Benefits

Benefits the ecosystem by aiding in the decomposition of dead wood. Risks include structural damage to homes if a colony establishes itself in wooden supports or moisture-damaged timber.

Identified on: 4/8/2026