Pest Library » Carpenter Ants

Size:

Up to 5/8-inch long.

Color:

Varies from black, brown and black, red and black, to light brown depending on the species.The two most common pest species are black in color.

Behavior:

Carpenter ants feed on a wide variety of foods, especially other insects. The favored food of adults is the sweet honeydew produced by plant-feeding insects, such as aphids, scales, and mealybugs. In the spring, mature colonies produce winged reproductive ants, called swarmers, that fly out to start new colonies. These swarms often occur from satellite colonies within homes, so homeowners may see large flying ants in their homes at night. Carpenter ants can be very difficult to control.