Carpenter Ant

Characteristics

• These are the largest ants found in Alabama
• Carpenter ants do not eat wood but burrow into wood to build their nests
• Colonies can be broken up into satellite colonies that are separate from the parent colony

Carpenter ants are the largest ants found in Alabama and can be over a half inch long. They are named for their habit of cutting passageways into wood in order to create their nests. Despite misconceptions, carpenter ants do not feed on wood, they usually feed on other insects and scavenged food such as meets and sweets.

Carpenter ants in the home can often be discovered by the wood shavings that they create from nest building. Theses shavings are often found in crawlspaces and other uninhabited areas so it is important to have your home inspected regularly. They prefer to establish homes in wood that has been exposed to moisture so drainage issues should be fixed. A Horizons professional can discuss with you several options for dealing with these ants.