Do Florida carpenter ants eat wood? Nope, they don’t digest it like termites do, but they do chew through it to make their nests, leaving costly damage behind. That’s the surprise for most homeowners: they don’t eat your house—they hollow it out.
Other than termites, we’ve got another wood-destroying pest to deal with in South Florida: carpenter ants. I’ve seen firsthand how misunderstood they are. They carve out galleries in damp, damaged wood, weakening structures over time. And while they’re not consuming your home bite by bite, they’re still leaving it hollowed, vulnerable, and open to worse.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through what Florida carpenter ants really do, how to tell them apart from termites, the risks they pose, and most importantly—how to prevent or eliminate an infestation before it gets out of hand. Because protecting your home shouldn’t be a guessing game.
Get to Know Florida Carpenter Ants
Here in South Florida, the most frequently encountered species we deal with is Florida Carpenter Ant. Aptly named.
They’re easy to recognize once you know what to look for. Large, often close to half an inch long, with a striking red-and-black body. They’re bold, fast-moving, and when disturbed, they don’t hesitate to bite (though they don’t sting).
Unlike other types of ants that might come and go with the seasons, these guys are active year-round thanks to our warm, humid climate. That means infestations don’t wait for spring, they can show up in the middle of August or right after a winter rainstorm. They’re especially drawn to moisture-damaged wood, which makes many South Florida homes prime real estate if you’re an ant looking to set up shop.
Florida vs. Northern Carpenter Ants
Now, I’ve done pest control in other parts of the country, and let me tell you, Florida carpenter ants are a different breed. They’re built for the heat. More tolerant of high temperatures, more aggressive in their nesting behavior, and much more likely to exploit weaknesses in your home’s exterior, especially around attics, soffits, and rooflines.
In colder climates, carpenter ants tend to stay outdoors or hibernate. Down here? They don’t slow down. They just shift their activity.
In fact, we often see them move from outdoor nests into homes during our cooler months, looking for warmth and moisture. And while all carpenter ants tend to forage at night, Florida’s species are notoriously nocturnal, often staying hidden during the day. So if you're seeing them in broad daylight it’s a sign that your infestation may be larger than you think.
These aren’t just seasonal pests. They’re opportunists. And in a place like South Florida, opportunity is everywhere.
Do Carpenter Ants Eat Wood?
One of the most main misconceptions I run into is the idea that carpenter ants eat wood. It’s understandable, after all, you see sawdust around your baseboards, the damage looks serious, and the word “carpenter” doesn’t exactly put you at ease.
But here’s the deal: carpenter ants don’t digest wood like termites do.
Termites are built to break down cellulose (the main component in wood) thanks to specialized gut bacteria that help them digest it. That’s what makes them so destructive. They eat their way through the core of your home’s structure.
Carpenter ants, on the other hand, are excavators. They chew through wood to make room for their nests, then spit the chewed-up wood back out. That debris is called frass, a mixture of wood shavings, insect parts, and droppings. It looks a lot like sawdust and is often the first warning sign homeowners notice.
So, do they eat wood? No. But that doesn’t mean they’re not damaging it.
So, What Do They Actually Eat?
Now that we know they’re not munching on wood, what’s actually on their menu? Let’s take a closer look at what these little guys actually snack on and how they track down their meals.
Sugar Cravings
Image Source -> University of Minnesota Extension
Carpenter ants have a serious sweet tooth. Their primary energy source is sugar, and they’re not picky about where they get it. Out in nature, they’ll collect honeydew from aphids, a sugary secretion they harvest by “farming” aphids like tiny livestock. It’s a fascinating relationship, the ants protect the aphids from predators in exchange for that sweet payoff.
Around the house, their diet shifts to easier targets:
Spilled fruit juice, sticky kitchen counters, and sugary residue around trash cans
Overripe fruit, soda spills, even nectar from flowers in your garden
Protein for the Colony
While sugar fuels their energy needs, protein is what helps carpenter ant colonies grow, especially when it comes to developing larvae.
They’ll feed on:
Dead insects, insect eggs, and even small arthropods
Pet food or scraps left out in bowls, a big one we see in kitchens and garages
Occasionally, they’ll go after live prey if it's small and vulnerable, though this isn’t typical behavior
And here’s something unique about carpenter ants: they don’t store food the way some other pests do. Instead, they share everything through trophallaxis, a mouth-to-mouth exchange that allows workers to pass food to the queen, soldiers, and larvae.
Popular Diet Misconceptions
We’ve had homeowners ask,
“Do they eat berries and grass like other ants?”
The short answer? No.
They’re not herbivores in the traditional sense. They won’t nibble your plants or munch on leaves. What they’re really after are the sugars and proteins that fuel their nests.
Another one we get a lot is:
“Can ants overeat sugar water?”
Not exactly. Carpenter ants regulate their intake naturally, but that doesn’t mean giving them open access is harmless. The thing is that they’ll drown in it, especially if it’s left in a deep dish or bowl. It’s one of those well-meaning DIY tips that can backfire without proper guidance.
How to Tell the Difference Between Carpenter Ants and Termites
You’re probably wondering
“If they don’t eat the wood, why does it look like someone’s carved into it?”
My answer is always the same: Because they have. And if you’re seeing frass but no ants? That doesn’t mean they’re gone, it might mean they’re deeper inside than you thought.
This kind of confusion is exactly why it’s so critical to know the difference. A misdiagnosis can waste time, money, and allow the real problem to keep getting worse.
Physical and Behavioral Differences
Photo Source -> Iowa State University
I’ve been to more inspections than I can count where a homeowner’s convinced they’ve got termites, and they’re not wrong to be worried, but what they’re actually dealing with is a carpenter ant infestation.
Here’s the difference:
Carpenter ants create clean, polished tunnels through wood. They don’t fill them with mud or debris. When we inspect ant-damaged wood, we often find it smooth inside, almost like someone sanded it.
Termites build muddy, rough galleries and often line their tunnels with soil or excrement. Their damage is messier and often harder to detect until it’s advanced.
Behaviorally, ants leave the nest to forage, especially at night. That’s why you might see them trailing along baseboards or countertops. Termites stay hidden in the wood they’re eating and that makes them even trickier to catch early.
Another clue comes from the winged versions or what we call swarmers. If you’re seeing flying insects in your home:
Carpenter ant swarmers have uneven wings (the front pair is longer than the back) and elbowed antennae.
Termite swarmers have two pairs of wings the same size, with straight antennae.
Spotting these differences can save you a lot of stress (and a lot of money!) if you act fast.
Visual Signs of Infestation
Whether it’s ants or termites, the signs of infestation often show up before you ever see the insects themselves. Here’s what I tell my customers to watch for:
Photo Source -> Ohio State University
Frass piles, especially beneath baseboards, near windows, or inside cabinets. It looks like sawdust, but it’s actually ant-chewed wood and debris.
Rustling sounds in the walls, usually at night when the ants are most active. It’s subtle, like soft crackling or tapping.
Wood that sounds hollow, this can be a red flag for both ants and termites.
How to Get Rid of Florida Carpenter Ants
Carpenter ants may not eat wood, but they sure know how to make themselves at home in it. Once they do, they’re not leaving without a fight. Over the years, I’ve found that the best approach is a combination of detection, correction, and prevention. Here’s how we tackle it and how you can start taking action right now.
Step 1 – Locate the Nest
The first step is always finding the source. You can spray all day long, but if you’re not targeting the nest, you’re just treating symptoms.
Follow foraging trails, especially at night when carpenter ants are most active. They often lead straight to food sources and back to the colony.
Inspect areas around moist wood, especially soffits, siding, or attic beams. Damaged trim or warped wood can be key indicators.
Use bait traps to monitor activity. If ants are consistently hitting a bait station, that trail can help pinpoint the nest's location.
Keep in mind, these ants often create satellite nests, smaller offshoots from a primary colony, so there may be more than one problem area to deal with.
Step 2 – Eliminate Moisture Sources
If there’s excess moisture, carpenter ants will find it and exploit it.
Fix leaks: plumbing under sinks, behind dishwashers, rooflines, AC drip pans. Anywhere water accumulates.
Improve ventilation: In attics, crawlspaces, and bathrooms, make sure there’s airflow. Use exhaust fans, and consider dehumidifiers in damp zones.
This is where we often see long-term infestations, places where the moisture issue goes unchecked for months or even years.
Step 3 – Remove Food Attractants
Cutting off the ants’ food supply helps break the cycle and forces the colony to relocate or collapse.
Seal food sources: Pet bowls, sugary snacks, grease spills, and even toothpaste can attract them.
Clean thoroughly and often: Wipe counters, vacuum regularly, and don’t forget under appliances.
Keep trash sealed: Tightly closed bins — inside and out — go a long way in keeping foragers away.
A lot of infestations start with something as small as a sticky soda spill. The cleaner the kitchen, the fewer invitations you’re sending.
Step 4 – Block Entry Points
Carpenter ants are excellent scouts. Once they find a crack or gap, they’ll exploit it and tell their friends.
Seal exterior gaps in siding, foundation lines, utility entry points, and around windows.
Trim back trees and shrubs touching the house. Ants use branches like highways right into your attic or eaves.
We’ve seen nests start from nothing more than a tree limb brushing against a gutter. It’s an easy fix but one many homeowners overlook.
Preventing Future Infestations
One of the things I’ll never get tired of saying is that pest control isn’t just about elimination, it’s about prevention. Especially here in South Florida, where heat, humidity, and lush landscapes make the perfect storm for carpenter ants to thrive. Once you’ve dealt with an infestation, keeping them from coming back is the real win.
Seasonal Prevention Tips
Like many pests, carpenter ants follow the rhythms of the year. Knowing what to expect each season can help you stay one step ahead.
Fall: As the weather starts to shift (even slightly in Florida), colonies will ramp up their food foraging, especially for sugars and carbohydrates. They’re fattening up before cooler nights set in. That’s when we often see increased indoor activity, especially in kitchens and bathrooms.
Photo Source -> University of Florida
Spring: This is the swarming season. If you’re seeing winged carpenter ants indoors, that’s not just a random event, it’s a sign that a mature colony is reproducing, possibly within your walls. Swarmers don’t bite or sting, but they do mean there’s a bigger problem nearby.
Regular inspections, even during "quiet" seasons, help catch problems early, before ants find new weaknesses to exploit.
Landscaping and Home Tips
Your home's surroundings matter just as much as what’s happening inside. Over the years, I’ve seen more infestations start from a few feet outside the structure than anywhere else.
Here’s what we recommend:
Don’t stack firewood near your home. Carpenter ants love damp, undisturbed wood. Keep stacks at least 20 feet away and off the ground.
Avoid railroad ties in landscaping. I can’t count how many nests we’ve uncovered in old timber borders. They’re perfect nesting material and often overlooked.
Invest in proper drainage. Whether it’s French drains, downspout extensions, or gutter systems, moisture control is everything. Damp soil and foundation walls invite ants, termites, and rodents, too.
A dry, well-sealed home surrounded by healthy landscaping isn’t just beautiful, it’s your best defense. And if you’re not sure whether your home’s at risk, we’re happy to take a look.
Don’t hesitate, give us a call.
📞 Call us at (954) 590-0477
🌐 Visit us online at www.hofferpest.com