Do carpenter ants eat wood?

The Difference Between a Carpenter Ant Infestation and a Termite Infestation: Termites and the larvae of some beetles actually eat wood. However, carpenter ants gain no nutritional value from wood; rather, they damage it to make nests. read more

Unlike termites, carpenter ants don't eat wood - they only tunnel into the structure to create a nest. Because moist wood is easier than dry wood for carpenter ants to tunnel through, the interior locations of carpenter ants will often be near a moisture source, like a leaky sink or bath. read more

Learn where carpenter ants live. Carpenter ants can (and will) establish a nest inside or outside of any type of structure, but wooden homes are especially at risk because carpenter ants like to bore tiny tunnels into wood. Unlike termites, carpenter ants don't eat wood - they only tunnel into the structure to create a nest. read more

Although carpenter ants do not eat wood, damage can be severe when nests remain active for several years. Over time, a colony can expand into several satellite colonies near the parent colony. Workers excavate wood for extra space, causing extensive damage to structures and woodwork. read more