The large, often
dark-colored ants that we call carpenter ants
all belong to the genus Camponotus. Unlike
the smaller, soil-nesting nuisance
ants, the large, powerful carpenter ants often
nest in cavities above ground. Carpenter ant nests
are located in stumps, decaying trees or similar natural
cavities. When carpenter ants establish nests
in our homes, however, they can cause damage as the
nests are enlarged (see Carpenter
Ants details).
Carpenter ants occur
worldwide but they are most important as structural
pests in temperate zones where they replace termites
as the dominant pest. This
new reference book (left) for the North American
species is now available.
