What Do Carpenter Ants Eat?

Carpenter ants are one of the most common ant species found in homes and forests. Unlike termites, they do not eat wood but excavate it to create nesting tunnels. Understanding their diet is crucial in managing infestations and preventing them from invading homes.

What Do Carpenter Ants Eat?

Carpenter ants have a varied diet that includes natural sources like insects and plant matter, as well as human food. Below is a breakdown of their primary food sources.Visit our Species, Control, and DIY Guide sections for additional resources on carpenter ants and ways to tackle a carpenter ants infestation.

Do Carpenter Ants Eat Wood?

One of the biggest misconceptions about carpenter ants is that they eat wood. In reality, carpenter ants do not consume wood; instead, they excavate it to create nests or galleries where they live. This behavior can result in significant structural damage over time if left unchecked, but it’s important to understand that the ants are not feeding on the wood itself. The wood shavings they produce, often found in small piles around their nest entrances, resemble fine sawdust and are a tell-tale sign of a carpenter ant infestation.Carpenter ants prefer nesting in damp or rotting wood, as it is easier for them to tunnel through. Therefore, they are more likely to establish nests in wood that has been weakened by moisture or decay. This makes homes with leaky roofs, damp basements, or other sources of moisture particularly vulnerable. If you feel things have gone out of control, it is advised to contact pest control professionals. Our team can provide a customized approach to protect your home effectively.

Feeding Behavior of Carpenter Ants

Carpenter ants are omnivorous, meaning they eat both plant and animal matter. They are opportunistic feeders and consume a variety of organic materials based on availability. Worker ants leave their nests at night to forage for food, often traveling long distances.

Foraging Behavior of Carpenter Ants

Carpenter ants have an organized system for finding and collecting food.

• Scouting: Worker ants search for food sources and leave a pheromone trail for others to follow.
• Trail Formation: Once a food source is located, a steady stream of ants follows the trail to collect food.
• Mass Foraging: Large numbers of ants work together to transport food back to their colony.
• Long-Distance Travel: Carpenter ants travel far from their nests in search of food, sometimes covering over 100 feet.

Signs of a Carpenter Ant Infestation

Small piles of sawdust-like debris near wood structures is a very common sign of carpenter ant infestation. These are the wood shavings that carpenter ants produce when excavating their galleries. Another sign is the appearance of winged ants, especially indoors, which typically occurs when a colony matures and begins to reproduce.You may also hear faint rustling noises coming from within walls or wooden beams, especially at night when the ants are most active. If you see carpenter ants foraging inside your home, particularly in kitchens or bathrooms, this could be a sign that a nest is nearby.

How to Prevent Carpenter Ant Infestations

Since carpenter ants are attracted to food sources, keeping them away requires proper sanitation and home maintenance.Prevention techniques might not be enough if you’re already dealing with a infestation in your home. Our pest control professionals provide a customized solution to protect your home effectively.

Myths vs. Facts: Carpenter Ants’ Food

Here are a few myths and facts about carpenter ants:

Myths	Facts
Carpenter ants eat wood.	They tunnel through wood but don’t consume it.
They only eat sugary foods.	They eat proteins, fats, and sugary substances.
They don’t need water to survive.	They need moisture and often seek water sources.
They hunt and kill other insects for food.	They scavenge dead insects but don’t actively hunt.
They only feed at night.	They forage both day and night, depending on conditions.