INTRODUCTION. The black carpenter ant, Camponotus pennsylvanicus (DeGreer), is a native species and the common species in the east.  Camponotus modoc Wheeler is the common western species.  These ants get their common name from their habit of hollowing out galleries in pieces of wood for nesting purposes.  This nesting habit can result in structural damage.  Carpenter ants are found throughout the United States.

RECOGNITION.  Workers polymorphic, large (1/8-1/2" or 3.5-13 mm) but vary greatly in size; queens about 1/2-5/8" (13-17 mm) long.  Color black, combinations of red and black, or completely red or brown.  Antenna 12-segmented, without a club.  Thorax lacks spines, profile evenly rounded on upper side.  Pedicel 1-segmented.  Gaster with anal opening round, surrounded by circlet of hairs.  Stinger absent.  Workers capable of emitting a strong formic acid odor.
    Camponotus pennsylvanicus with workers about 1/4-1/2" (6-13 mm) long and completely black except top of gaster with long, pale yellowish hairs pressed against its surface.  Camponotus modoc with workers about 1/4-1/2" (5-11 mm) long, dull black with reddish legs and with golden hairs covering abdomen.  Queens up to 5/8+" (17+ mm) long.  Other species black, various combinations of red and black, or completely red or brown.  Although carpenter ants do not sting, their bites can be quite painful, especially when they inject formic acid into the wound.

HABITS.  Most carpenter ant species establish their first nest in decayed wood and later expand or enlarge this into sound wood.  Inside, nests are located in wood (preferably softened by fungus rot), in insulation, and/or in wall voids.  Workers are a nuisance when out searching for food but are destructive to timbers utilized for nesting activities.  Outside, nests are typically located in rotting fence posts, stumps, old firewood, dead portions of standing trees, and under stones or fallen logs
    .The presence of a carpenter ant nest is sometimes indidcated by a rustling sound coming from wall voids or from wood where the colony is located.  Otherwise, the emergence of swarmers indoors may be the first indication of an indoor colony.
    Carpenter ants feed primarily on insect honeydew, plant and fruit juices, insects, and other anthropods.  Inside, they will also feed on sweets, eggs, meats, cakes, and grease.
    The workers forage for distances of up to 300 feet (91.4m) from the nest.  They typically enter buildings around door and window frames, eaves, plumbing and utility llines, and shrub and tree branches in contact with the building.  Although some workers are active during the day, most activity is from dusk till dawn, with deak activity between 10 pm and 2 am.  The trail between the parent and satellite nest is usually about 1/4-13/16" (6-20 mm) wide and is kept clear of vegetation and debris.  It usually follows contours but typically will cut across lawns.

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