Carpenter ants are the large black ants that hollow out damp or damaged wood to nest. They do not eat wood, but their galleries can signal — and worsen — a moisture problem.

How to identify the Carpenter Ant

Among the largest ants you will see indoors, 1/4 to 1/2 inch, usually black, with a smoothly rounded thorax and a single node at the waist.

Behavior & biology

They excavate smooth galleries in moist or decayed wood — around leaks, decks, and window frames — and forage widely at night, often for sweets and protein.

Why Carpenter Ants are a problem

Galleries weaken already-compromised wood, and their presence usually points to a hidden moisture issue. Large satellite colonies can develop inside walls.

Signs of an infestation

Large ants indoors (especially at night), piles of coarse sawdust-like frass, faint rustling in walls, and winged swarmers near windows in spring.

How we handle Carpenter Ants in the CSRA

Finding and treating the nest — plus correcting the moisture that drew them — is the durable fix. Start with our pest control service. Call 803-226-3155 to schedule. Browse the full pest library.