Carpenter Ants - Pestipedia

Carpenter ants (Camponotus spp.) are one of the largest and most common ant species. Belonging to the family Formicidae, they are known for their ability to excavate wood to build their nests, which can lead to structural damage. Despite their name, carpenter ants do not eat wood, but instead remove it in order to construct their nests.

Description and Biology

Carpenter ants range in size from 1/4 to 1 inch in length. They are usually black, but some species can be reddish or yellowish. Carpenter ants are polymorphic, meaning that the workers come in various sizes. The queen is larger than the workers and can live up to 15 years.

These ants are social insects and live in large colonies with one or more queens, numerous workers, males, and immature stages (larvae and pupae). The queens lay eggs, which develop into the other castes.

Behavior and Ecology

Carpenter ants are found worldwide, but they are most commonly found in cool, damp climates. They prefer to build their nests in damp, decayed wood, but they will also nest inside dry, undamaged wood.

Carpenter ants are primarily nocturnal. They are omnivorous and feed on a variety of food sources, including living and dead insects, honeydew from aphids, sweets, meats, and fats. They do not eat the wood they remove during nest-building; instead, they deposit it outside their nests in small piles.

Social Structure

Carpenter ant colonies are organized into castes, which include the queen, workers, and males. The queen’s primary role is to lay eggs. Workers are responsible for foraging for food, caring for the queen and young, and expanding the nest. Males are responsible for mating with the queen, after which they die.

Human Interactions

Carpenter ants are considered pests when they infest wooden structures. Over time, they can cause significant damage by hollowing out sections of wood for their nests. However, their preference for damp wood often means they are secondary pests, invading structures already damaged by water or moisture.

Controlling carpenter ants involves eliminating sources of moisture or wood decay, as well as directly treating nests. Pest control professionals often use a combination of methods, including baits, dusts, and sprays.