Carpenter ants are some of the most common ants found in homes across the United States. They get their name from their habit of burrowing into wood to make nests. When homeowners find black ants in their house, they often assume they are dealing with carpenter ants. However, there are many different species of black ants, and they do not all bore into wood like carpenter ants. So are black ants always carpenter ants? The short answer is no, not all black ants are carpenter ants. There are many different species of black ants, and only one is classified as a true carpenter ant. However, some other species of black ants are mistaken for carpenter ants because of their similar dark coloration.
Page Contents
Types of Black Ants
There are over 14,000 known ant species worldwide, and many of them have black bodies. Here are some of the most common black ants that may be mistaken for carpenter ants:
Black Carpenter Ants
Carpenter ants belong to the genus Camponotus and there are over 1,000 species worldwide. The most common carpenter ant species in the United States is the black carpenter ant, Camponotus pennsylvanicus. This species has a black body ranging in size from 1/4 inch for a worker to 3/4 inch for a queen. They excavate wood to form satellite nests and extensive galleries. The main nest is typically outdoors in dead wood, tree stumps, or landscaping timbers. This is the only species of black ant in the United States that bores into wood to make nests.
Black Pavement Ants
Pavement ants belong to the genus Tetramorium and live throughout the U.S. The most common pavement ant is Tetramorium caespitum. Workers range in size from 1/16 to 1/8 inches and are a brownish-black color. They nest outdoors under stones, in soil, or in cracks in pavement. They only come indoors in search of food. They do not damage wood or excavate nests indoors.
Little Black Ants
Little black ants belong to the Monomorium genus. There are several species found in the U.S., the most common being Monomorium minimum. As the name suggests, these tiny ants are only 1/16 inch long. They nest both outdoors and indoors, living in wall voids, under flooring, and in other hidden spaces. They feed on sweets and meats. Their small size allows them to exploit tiny cracks and crevices.
Pharaoh Ants
Pharaoh ants, Monomorium pharaonis, are small ants native to the Indo-Australian region. They now have a worldwide distribution. In the U.S. they are common in commercial buildings and hospitals. Workers are about 1/16 inch long and yellowish-brown to black. Nests contain multiple queens and are often found indoors in inaccessible spaces. They prefer warmer areas of the building. Pharaoh ants feed on sweets and proteins.
Ghost Ants
Ghost ants, Tapinoma melanocephalum, originally come from Africa but now reside in warmer climates globally. In the U.S. they live in the southern states. Workers are tiny at 1/16 to 1/8 inches, with black heads and thoraxes and pale amber abdomens. They nest indoors and forage for sweets and proteins. Their nests contain multiple queens and are often hidden within walls, under floors, or in insulation.
Differences Between Black Carpenter Ants and Other Black Ants
While carpenter ants and other black ants appear similar in color, they have some key differences:
Size
At 1/4 to 3/4 inch, black carpenter ants are significantly larger than other common black ants. Pavement ants, little black ants, and pharaoh ants are all around 1/16 inch. Ghost ants are slightly bigger at 1/16 to 1/8 inches but still smaller than carpenter ants. The carpenter ant’s large size makes it easier to distinguish.
Wood Destruction
Carpenter ants are the only black ant species that excavates and nests within wood. They chew through wood to make smooth, round galleries. Other black ants restrict nest building activities to outdoors, existing cracks and voids, or soil. Only carpenter ants damage sound wood.
Nest Location
Carpenter ants nest outdoors in dead wood and have satellite nests indoors in wood. Their nests have a main parent colony. Other black ants form multiple nests both in and outside the home in small hidden spaces. They do not have one central outdoor nest site.
Foraging Behavior
Carpenter ants forage up to 100 feet from the nest. They trail along structural guidelines. Other black ants forage shorter distances randomly. Carpenter ants also forage day and night, while some black ants like pavement ants usually forage at night.
| Ant Species | Size | Wood Destruction | Nest Site | Foraging |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Carpenter Ant | 1/4″-3/4″ | Yes | Outdoors in wood, indoor satellite nests | Up to 100 ft, day and night |
| Pavement Ant | 1/16″-1/8″ | No | Outdoors under stones, in soil, cracks | Short distances, often at night |
| Little Black Ant | 1/16″ | No | Indoors and outdoors in hidden spaces | Short random distances |
| Pharaoh Ant | 1/16″ | No | Indoors in inaccessible spaces | Short random distances |
| Ghost Ant | 1/16″-1/8″ | No | Indoors within walls, floors, insulation | Short random distances |
Behavior of Black Carpenter Ants
To properly identify carpenter ants, it is important to understand their behavior patterns:
Swarming
Carpenter ant swarms occur in the spring. After mating, the male ants die and females search for a nesting site to start a new colony. Seeing winged black ants emerging indoors is a sign carpenter ants are nesting in the home. Other black ants swarm outdoors.
Foraging
Worker carpenter ants forage along predictable paths, moving in a linear pattern along wires, tree branches, pipes, and structural guidelines. If black ants are trailing back and forth along the edge of a wall or wood trim, they are likely carpenter ants. Other black ants meander randomly without set foraging trails.
Biting and Stinging
Carpenter ants can inflict painful bites and stings as a defense. Black carpenter ants have large mandibles suited for chewing through wood that can pinch uncovered skin. Though they do not sting aggressively, they can sting with their abdominal stinger. Other black ants have smaller mandibles and minimal stinging ability.
Nocturnal Activity
Carpenter ants are most active at night but forage day and night. Seeing black ants walking in the open during daylight may mean they are carpenter ants. Other black ant species are more secretive and do their foraging at night. Carpenter ants become more bold when their nests are well established.
Wood Damage
Carpenter ants excavate weathered or water-damaged wood outdoors and softer woods like pine indoors. They remove wood in small piles as they carve galleries. Their smooth tunnels follow the grain of the wood. No other black ant species burrows into undamaged wood.
Signs of Carpenter Ant Infestation
Carpenter ants often go unnoticed in a home until they have formed large colonies. Here are some signs a home has carpenter ants:
– Swarms of large black winged ants emerging indoors in the spring
– Sawdust-like wood shavings under doors, around windows, or trailing away from wood along the floor
– Hollow, drum-like sounds when tapping on wood surfaces
– Small piles of wood bits near damaged wood
– Cracked or damaged exterior wood
– Black ants trailing along wires, pipes, siding, branches, and other linear guidelines
– Large black ants seen foraging day and night inside the home
Seeing frass (insect waste), excavated wood pieces, or actual ants still does not confirm carpenter ants. Capturing specimens for identification under a microscope is needed for definitive diagnosis by a pest control company. Visual inspections alone lead to frequent misidentification of carpenter ants.
How to Get Rid of Black Carpenter Ants
Black carpenter ants can be controlled with diligence and properly timed treatments. Here are some ways to eliminate carpenter ants:
Inspection
Thoroughly inspect inside and outside the home for ant trails, wood damage, hollow-sounding wood, and other signs of infestation. Targeted treatment depends on locating nests. Inspection often requires removal of siding, wall void access, and molding.
Improve Moisture Control
Carpenter ants are attracted to moisture. Fix any leaks, improve drainage, and reduce moisture accumulation. Paint or seal exposed wood. Eliminate wood/soil contact. Correct humidity issues and condensation.
Pesticide Application
Use insecticidal sprays, dusts, or baits in and around the structure where carpenter ants are active. Apply pesticides into wall voids and under siding. Directly treating galleries in wood provides control. Baits must be in foraging areas but away from the nest.
Wood Replacement
Severely damaged and compromised wood needs to be replaced to discourage reinfestation. Remove and replace any wood containing major galleries. Use treated wood for replacements. Promptly fix any moisture damage that occurs in the future.
Professional Treatment
For severe infestations, fumigation by professionals may be required. This involves tenting the home and using gases to penetrate deep into nesting areas. Professionals also have access to stronger pesticides and baiting systems not available to homeowners. Getting control often requires multiple visits over months.
Preventing Carpenter Ant Infestations
The best way to avoid carpenter ant headaches is to make the home and yard an unfavorable environment for them:
Sanitation
Practice good sanitation indoors and outdoors. Clean up food spills immediately. Store food in sealed containers. Pick ripe fruit and take out trash regularly. Fill in tree stumps and remove rotting wood around the property.
Reduce Moisture
Fix plumbing leaks, improve drainage, and eliminate standing water. Ventilate attics and crawl spaces. Move firewood away from the home. Prune branches touching the house. Dehumidify damp basements.
Seal Entry Points
Caulk and seal cracks around windows, doors, pipes, vents, and wires where ants enter. Make sure siding and trim fits tightly. Screen attic vents. Weather strip doors. Keep landscaping trimmed back from the structure.
Treat Wood
Use solid wood instead of laminates or pressed woods which carpenter ants easily excavate.Choose naturally resilient woods like cedar, cypress, or pine. Treat wood with borate-based preservatives to deter carpenter ants. Maintain exterior paint and treatments to protect from moisture damage.
Inspect Regularly
Routinely inspect the home’s exterior and interior for signs of carpenter ant activity. Catching an infestation early makes treatment easier before extensive damage occurs. Monitoring helps determine if preventative measures are working.
Conclusion
Carpenter ants get their name for a reason – they excavate and nest in wood. Of the many species of black ants, however, only one is considered a true carpenter ant. The black carpenter ant is the only black ant in North America that bores into wood. There are several other small black ants that sometimes get mistaken for carpenter ants even though they do not damage wood. Proper identification requires looking closely at their size, nest sites, foraging behavior, and wood damage patterns. Controlling carpenter ants takes diligent inspection, moisture control, anticide application, and occasional wood replacement. Prevention relies on maintenance, sanitation, moisture proofing, sealing up the structure, and routine monitoring. While not all black ants are carpenter ants, any black ants trailing through the home or nesting in wood should not be taken lightly. Quick identification and targeted treatment helps resolve black carpenter ant infestations.