Carpenter Ants can be found in the Eastern half of the United States. There are also Western Carpenter Ants that cover almost all the rest of the US.
Carpenter Ants, also called Pennsylvania or Black Carpenter ants have moderately sized colonies with more than 3,000 workers and only one queen. Inside, nests usually start in moist, decayed wood and voids. Look for coarse sawdust piles that contain insect body parts. Listen for the sounds of workers chewing wood. Outside, nests are commonly found in dead or damaged trees, rotting logs, and stumps.
Carpenter ants enter buildings around door and window frames, through eaves, along plumbing and utility lines and where branches touch a structure.
Carpenter ants feed primarily on insects honeydew, plant and fruit juices and insects. Indoors they feed on food crumbs, meat, pest food, and grease.
To control carpenter ants, the nest has to be treated directly. successful control depends on eliminating the parent colony which is usually located outside. Besides eliminating the colony, voids must be dusted, the perimeter sprayed, vegetation cur back, and granular insect bait applied.
Carpenter ants can do great damage in a short amount of time, so if you find carpenter ants, call for professional help immediately.