Appearance:
Compact Carpenter ants have a brown head and thorax, and a blackish abdomen.

Size:
Range from 1/8-inch to 1/4-inch in length.

Behavior:
Workers are seen foraging in very dispersed trails or individually. Foragers have been observed on trees, bushes, along sidewalks, through lawns and exteriors of structures. Unlike the Florida carpenter ant, these smaller “compact” carpenter ants’ swarmers do not fly in structures.

Habitat:
Their most common habitats are hollow twigs, old termite galleries in dead wood, voids of tree trunks, and leaf axel bases in palms. They will also nest in the rotted ends of fence pickets and rails. Compact carpenter ant nests are usually hard to find. Although it is primarily an arboreal (living in trees) species, it is increasingly being recognized as a structural pest.

Unique Characteristics:
Compact carpenter ants stay active all day, even in direct sunlight, unlike the Florida Carpenter ant, which tends to be nocturnal.

Control:
Since most carpenter ants prefer soft wood, it is helpful to remove dead stumps and branches from your yard. Stored wood such as plywood stacks and firewood should be kept off the ground and away from the house. Fix leaky hoses and plumbing, roofs, and move sprinklers that come in contact with wooden structures to avoid creating damp wood environments and the possibility of ants nesting in them.

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