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Black Carpenter Ant

Camponotus pennsylvanicus

HarmlessCommon

Quick answer

Can bite gently; may damage wet wood. Safety level: Harmless.

How to identify the Black Carpenter Ant

A large, black ant, 6-13 mm long, with a smoothly rounded back.
Fine yellowish hairs on the abdomen.
Small piles of sawdust-like shavings near wood are a sign of a nest.
Size: 6–13 mm.

Where it lives

Native to eastern North America. Related carpenter ants live worldwide. Nests are in dead trees, stumps, and damp or rotting wood in houses, such as window frames and roof edges.

Is it dangerous?

Carpenter ants are not dangerous to people. They can bite if handled and may spray a little formic acid, which stings briefly. The bigger concern is long-term damage to damp wood in buildings.

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Children and pets

Safe, but avoid handling.

What to do

Look for damp or rotting wood near the house.
Seal cracks where trails enter.

Fun fact

It doesn't eat wood; it digs tunnels to nest in it.

Frequently asked questions

Do carpenter ants eat wood?

No. They dig tunnels in wood to nest but do not eat it, unlike termites.

Do carpenter ants bite?

They can give a mild bite if handled, but it is not dangerous.

How do I stop carpenter ants?

Fix leaks, replace rotting wood, trim branches touching the house and seal gaps where trails enter.