How Big Are Carpenter Ants?
Among the largest ants in the United States are the carpenter ants. They can be found in several different species, and some can be as large as a half-inch long. These ants can cause a lot of damage to your home. They can leave behind rusty windows and kickout holes. They can also eat grease from your stove and pet food left out in bowls. However, they do not sting.
Carpenter ants are social insects. They build nests in wood, soil, or other building material. The nests are built to provide protection for the ants. The nests are usually outdoors, but can also be inside structures. A colony of carpenter ants can contain thousands of ants, and may have satellite nests. These satellite nests may contain a small number of worker ants and may contain eggs or larvae.
Carpenter ants have three distinct body regions: the thorax, abdomen, and legs. They are mainly active at night, when they search for food. They also have antennae with a sharp bend. They may be brown or red, and they may be polymorphic, meaning that some ants may be black, yellow, or red.
Carpenter ants are predators, and they seek food and protection from predators. They feed on live and dead insects, as well as plant juices and nectars. They are fast moving insects. They follow chemical trails in search of food. They also use formidable mandibles to defend their nests.
Carpenter ants have a heart-shaped head. They are reddish-brown or black. They can have up to six legs. They have a bulbous abdomen.