Carpenter Ants (Camponotus) are the largest ants you will encounter in Utah. Unlike other ants that just want your crumbs, Carpenter ants can cause long-term structural damage to your home.
The SizeThese ants are "giants," often reaching up to 1/2 inch or more in length.
The ProfileA key ID feature is their perfectly rounded thorax (the middle section). Other ants have "lumpy" thoraxes; Carpenter ants have one smooth, continuous curve.
The ColorIn Utah, they are almost always solid black, though some species may have a reddish-brown middle section.
Excavation, Not ConsumptionUnlike termites, Carpenter ants do not eat wood. They use their powerful mandibles to chew galleries into wood to create a place for the colony to live.
The "Frass" SignBecause they don't eat the wood, they have to "kick out" the trash. If you see small piles of what looks like sawdust mixed with dead insect parts (called frass), you have a colony nearby.
Nocturnal ActivityThese ants are most active between 10 PM and 2 AM. If you see large black ants on your kitchen counters in the middle of the night, you likely have an indoor nest.
Why are they in my house if I don't have rotting wood?They often start "satellite nests" in perfectly dry wood (like your wall studs) once the main colony outside is established.
Do they have wings?During the spring, reproductive members grow wings to fly out and start new colonies. If you see a "flying ant" over 1/2 inch long, it’s likely a Carpenter ant.
Where do they come from?They typically enter from tree branches touching the roof, or through gaps where utility lines (power/water) enter the house.
