Carpenter Ant Identification & Prevention

What Are Carpenter Ants?

Carpenter ants are a wood-destroying species of ants that cause significant damage to homes and other structures they invade. Carpenter ants are one of the largest species of ants living in the United States. These ants have segmented, oval-shaped bodies and are black, red, or a combination of those colors. Ants are social insects that live together in large colonies. Workers have large, powerful mandibles used to chew through wood, creating tunnels and nesting galleries.

Are carpenter ants dangerous?

Although carpenter ants can inflict painful bites, they are a greater threat to property than to people. These moisture-seeking pests are attracted to the areas of a home or business with water-damaged structural wood. While it is true that carpenter ants tunnel through structural wood like termites, they do not feed on it. Instead, they build satellite nests near their newfound food sources. Carpenter ants feed on a variety of things including proteins, sugars, and tiny insects such as aphids and scales.

Why do I have a carpenter ant problem?

The reason your Texas home is having problems with carpenter ants is because it provides ample food, water, and shelter. Gardens, trash cans, and fallen trees all attract carpenter ants. Once they are on your property, carpenter ants often move indoors once the weather becomes too harsh. These ants thrive inside of our temperature-controlled properties and become difficult to control and eliminate.

Where will I find carpenter ants?