Do Carpenter Ants Eat Wood?
No, carpenter ants do not eat wood. They tunnel into wood to create nests. In doing so, carpenter ants remove wood fibers to create galleries and chambers for their colony. Carpenter ants actually feed on insects, sweets, and other food that is high in protein and carbohydrates.
No, Carpenter Ants Don't Eat Wood, But They Are Interesting
Carpenter ants (also called carpenter bees or wood ants) can be found in North America, Australia, and the United Kingdom. They may have many names, but they all have one thing in common: they all build their nests with bits of wood. Carpenter ants tend to prefer dying trees because they provide plenty of shelter and food, such as aphids.
Carpenter ants are large, black or dark brown ants that range in size from 1/4″ to 1/2″ in length. They have a shiny exoskeleton, a well-defined waist, a large thorax, and long antennae. Some species have a noticeable one-segment difference in the size of their front and back legs. Winged carpenter ants have clear or smoky-colored wings and are often seen during the spring when mating.
How are carpenter ants different from other ants?
Carpenter ants are distinct in several ways. They are larger than most other ant species and they’re typically black or dark brown. Other ant species can be red, orange, or yellow. Carpenter ants nest by tunneling into wood, while other ants build their nests in soil or out of other material. Another unique feature of carpenter ants is the structure of their wings. Winged carpenter ants having a one-segment difference in the size of their front and back wings. They feed on a wide range of food sources including insects, sweets, and foods high in protein and carbohydrates where other ants tend to have more specialized diets. Finally, carpenter ants are known for being much more aggressive. They will defend their colony if threatened.
Carpenter ants are still social insects with a caste system. Their queens lay eggs and the rest of the colony works together to care for them.
Carpenter don't eat wood. Their nests are made of wood, but ants themselves do not consume it.
The idea that carpenter ants eat wood is a myth that has been around for centuries. Carpenter ants make their nests out of wood and cannot digest it. They just spit it back up to build their homes.
