Species guide
Black carpenter ant
Nuisance, not harmfulCamponotus pennsylvanicus
How to recognise it
A large dull-black ant, 6–13 mm, with a single waist node, an evenly rounded back, and a fringe of golden hairs on the abdomen.
Is it dangerous?
It can give a minor bite but isn't venomous. Unlike termites it doesn't eat wood — it excavates damp or rotting wood to nest, which over time can mean structural damage.
Commonly confused with
- Termites — straight (not elbowed) antennae, no narrow waist, equal-length wings
What to do
Trace them to the moisture source or nest and fix water damage; bait or treatment may be needed for the colony.
Recorded 34,355 times in the wild worldwide.
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