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Carpenter Ant Identification

While the process of carpenter ant identification does not have to be exact - it is important to be able to tell if your ants are a nuisance - or something worse.  Not only are there lots of different kinds of ants - there are different types of carpenter ants!

Different species will have some differences in habits, nest size, and coloring - the ones that nest in homes all damage wood.  Our purpose in including carpenter ant identification information is just so you can tell them apart from other ants.

Some species of carpenter ants are really quite small with the major workers, the largest worker ants in the colony, being only about a quarter inch long.  Other, more common species can have major workers of over half an inch.

There are some species of thatching ants that are very large and are sometimes mistaken for carpenter ants.  However, if you look closely at thatching ants you will notice that every single ant you see is exactly the same size.

As you can see from the photo to the right, carpenter ants come in different sizes. Regardless of the species of carpenter ant there will be large ones, small ones, and medium size ants - unless the nest has just started.  In fact, if all your ants are exactly the same size, you probably don't have Carpenter ants. Check out our link to ant identification if you aren't sure if you have carpenter ants.

In addition to the information included here on carpenter ant identification, your local county extension agency is a great resource for all types of insect identification

Carpenter ant identification guide:

The small one with wings is a male reproductive Carpenter ant.  Most reproductives lose their wings soon after swarming.

Carpenter ants have one node between the middle section - the thorax and the last section - the gaster.

In addition, the top of the thorax will be smoothly rounded.

Link to larger image