Carpenter ants are among the largest ants found in Southern California homes, with workers ranging from about 1/4 inch to as much as 5/8 inch long within the same colony. They’re typically black or dark brownish-black, sometimes with reddish tones on the thorax, and have a single node between the thorax and abdomen along with a smoothly rounded, evenly curved profile when viewed from the side. Winged reproductive ants (swarmers) are notably large and are sometimes mistaken for termites, though carpenter ants have a distinct narrow “waist” and bent antennae that termites lack.
In Los Angeles and Orange County, carpenter ants are typically found nesting in moist or decaying wood, including old tree stumps, firewood piles, eaves, window frames, and wood damaged by prior water leaks. Unlike termites, carpenter ants don’t eat wood; they excavate it to create smooth, hollowed-out galleries for nesting, often leaving small piles of coarse, sawdust-like material called frass near entry points. Indoors, they’re commonly spotted foraging at night in kitchens or bathrooms, particularly in homes with roof leaks, plumbing leaks, or wood-to-soil contact around foundations.
Carpenter ants are a concern primarily because of the structural wood damage they can cause over time, especially when a colony goes undetected for months or years in a moisture-damaged area of a home. Repeated excavation can weaken support beams, window frames, and siding, and an established colony can also produce satellite nests elsewhere in the structure. While carpenter ants can bite when disturbed, they don’t sting, and their bite is generally more of a nuisance than a medical concern.
Guarantee Pest Control has been helping Southern California homeowners protect their properties from wood-damaging pests since 1958. Our technicians inspect your home to locate active nests and the moisture issues that attract them, then recommend a treatment plan designed to address the colony at its source. We offer eco-friendly Guarantee Green options, a 3-month guarantee on most services, free estimates, and no-penalty cancellation. Don’t wait for hidden damage to grow — call 1-800-507-3787 or request a free estimate at /get-a-quote/.