Latin Name:
Camponotus
Appearance:
Among the largest ants, from 1/4- to 3/8-inch long. The most common species is black, but some have reddish or yellowish coloration. Workers have large mandibles.
Habit:
Resides both outdoors and indoors in moist, decaying or hollow wood. They cut "galleries" into the wood grain to provide passageways for movement from section to section of the nest. Can leave "sawdust" behind that provides clues to nesting location.
Diet:
Does not eat wood, but will feed on nearly anything people eat—particularly sweets and meats. Will also feed on other insects.
Reproduction:
Queen lays 15 to 20 eggs the first year and up to 30 eggs the second year. Eggs complete their life cycle in about 60 days. Worker ants can live up to seven years, while a queen may live up to 25 years.
Other:
All kinds of buildings, regardless of age or type of construction, are vulnerable to infestation and damage by carpenter ants. They are very difficult to control. Colonies can contain up to 50,000 workers.
