Carpenter ants build nests inside wood, consisting of galleries chewed out with their mandibles or jaws, preferably in dead, damp wood. However, unlike termites, they do not consume wood, but instead discard a material that resembles sawdust outside their nest. Sometimes, carpenter ants hollow out sections of trees. They also commonly infest wooden buildings and structures, causing a widespread problem: they are a major cause of structural damage.  Carpenter ants are large, mostly black ants that damage wood, while fire ants are small, reddish ants that sting aggressively and build outdoor mounds. To read about Fire Ants click here.

Carpenter ants are generally large ants: workers are usually 4–7 mm long in small species and 7–13 mm in large species, queens are 9–20 mm long and males are 5–13 mm long. The bases of the antennae are separated from the clypeal border by a distance of at least the antennal scape's maximum diameter. The mesosoma in profile usually forms a continuous curve from the pronotum through to the propodeum. 

Carpenter ants are known to nest in moist or decaying wood within homes, often targeting areas such as window frames, wall voids, insulation, and spaces near plumbing leaks. Their preference for damp environments makes locations with water damage or high humidity particularly susceptible to infestation. These nesting habits can lead to structural damage over time if not addressed promptly. For more information on Carpenter Ants, visit Wikipedia