Carpenter ants

Description - Carpenter ants get their name from because they excavate wood in order to build their nests. Carpenter ants range in size from one-quarter inch for a worker ant to three quarters inch for a queen.

Biology - Carpenter ants damage wood through their nest building.  If entry is gained into a structure, they pose a property threat.  Occasionally, carpenter ant swarms usually occur in the spring and are a indication that a colony is nesting inside the structure.

Prevention - Carpenter ants require a water source.  Eliminate sources of moisture or standing water.  Make sure that firewood and building materials are not stored next to your home. Pests like to build nests in stacks of wood.