Extension > Garden > Diagnose a problem > What insect is this? > Insects found indoors > Beetles, bugs, ants, and other insects without obvious wings - Larger than 1/4 up to 1/2 inch long > Carpenter ant, Camponotus pennsylvanicus

Carpenter ant

Camponotus pennsylvanicus

Jeff Hahn, University of Minnesota Extension

Description: 1/4 - 1/2 inch long. (It is often challenging to recognize ants from a picture. Because different species may be treated differently, be sure an ant problem is correctly identified before attempting control).

Where/When: Is associated with wood anywhere inside a home or outdoors in trees, sheds, fences, landscape timbers or other sources of wood. May be found outdoors spring through fall and can be found indoors throughout the year.

Significance: Nests in wood or voids and can potentially cause significant damage to homes.

More information on Carpenter ants