Carpenter Ant
Carpenter ants are large ants in the genus Camponotus that excavate wood to build nests, but do not eat wood.
Carpenter ants are large ants in the genus Camponotus that excavate wood to build nests, but do not eat wood. They are found worldwide and can become household pests, especially in Canada where black and red carpenter ants are common.
What it is
Carpenter ants are social insects known for their size (6–25 mm), bent antennae, and narrow waist. They belong to the genus Camponotus and are named for their habit of carving galleries in wood to create nests. Unlike termites, they do not consume wood; they simply remove it to make space for their colony.
Why it matters
In Canada, carpenter ants are a common structural pest. Their tunnelling can weaken wooden buildings, especially where wood is damp or decaying. Health Canada notes that black and red carpenter ants are among the most frequent types found in Canadian homes. Controlling infestations usually involves locating the nest and fixing moisture problems.
Key details
Carpenter ants feed on sweets, plant and animal matter, insects, and honeydew. They nest in trees, stumps, logs, and moisture-damaged wood in buildings. Colonies can contain hundreds or thousands of individuals. They do not sting but may bite if handled. In nature, they help break down dead wood and recycle nutrients.
In short
- Carpenter ants excavate wood for nests but do not eat it.
- They can damage wooden structures, especially damp wood.
- Common in Canada: black and red carpenter ants.
- Control requires finding the nest and fixing moisture issues.
Carpenter ants are a common structural pest in Canada. Health Canada notes that black and red carpenter ants are among the most common types found there, and they can damage wooden buildings if infestations are not addressed.
Quick questions
Do carpenter ants eat wood?
Are carpenter ants dangerous to buildings?
Do carpenter ants sting?
Sources
- Health Canada — https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/pest-control-tips/carpenter-ants.htmlSupports: Canadian species, size, diet, nesting behaviour, and control guidance.
- Ohio State University Extension — https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/HYG-2063Supports: Definition of carpenter ants as wood-excavating social insects that do not consume wood.
- Smithsonian Institution — https://www.si.edu/spotlight/buginfo/carpenter-antsSupports: Worldwide distribution and the black carpenter ant in southeastern Canada.
- National Park Service — https://www.nps.gov/articles/carpenter-ant.htmSupports: Carpenter ants as a large genus with many species.
- University of Maryland Extension — https://extension.umd.edu/resource/carpenter-antsSupports: Social colony structure, diet, and lack of stinging.
- Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry — https://www.maine.gov/dacf/mfs/forest_health/insects/carpenter_ants.htmSupports: Colony size, species examples, and ecological role in dead wood decomposition.