What are Florida carpenter ants?

Florida carpenter ants, often called bull ants, are among the largest ants in Florida. The two species most common around homes have a reddish-orange head and body with a darker abdomen, and workers come in different sizes. They forage mostly at night, which is why homeowners usually notice them trailing across counters or walls in the evening.

Do Florida carpenter ants damage homes?

Usually not the way termites do. Florida carpenter ants don’t eat wood. They nest in existing voids and in wood that’s already damp or rotting, such as wall cavities, attic insulation, door frames near leaks, and old stumps and fences outdoors. Finding them inside is often a sign of a moisture problem worth fixing.

Signs of Florida carpenter ants

• Large ants trailing indoors at night
• Winged ants (swarmers) indoors
• Small piles of debris (wood fragments, insulation, dead insects) pushed out of a gap
• Ants trailing along wires, branches or cables that touch the house

Carpenter ants or termites?

Carpenter ant swarmers have a pinched waist, bent antennae and front wings longer than the back wings. Termite swarmers have a straight waist, straight antennae and wings of equal length.

Prevention

1. Fix roof, plumbing and AC leaks, and replace water-damaged wood.
2. Trim branches and shrubs so they don’t touch the house.
3. Seal gaps where wires and pipes enter.
4. Remove old stumps and woodpiles near the foundation.

How DNR treats Florida carpenter ants

The key is finding and treating the nest, not just the ants you see. We inspect inside and out, follow trails to nest sites, and use baits and targeted treatments where they live. Call 727-594-0404 or book a free consult.

Related pest spotlights: Subterranean Termites and Fire Ants.

FAQ

Are Florida carpenter ants the same as northern carpenter ants? No. Northern black carpenter ants excavate sound wood; Florida carpenter ants mostly nest in voids and damp or damaged wood.

Do Florida carpenter ants bite? They can bite when handled or disturbed, but they don’t sting.

Source: University of Florida/IFAS, Florida Carpenter Ant. Reviewed by Ricky Williams, Certified Operator in Charge.