Common Household Ants Carpenter Ants, Camponotus spp. Carpenter ants are among the largest ants in the north central states.
Colonies consist of major and minor workers.
They also feed on meats or sweets, including honeydew, syrup, honey, sugar, jelly, grease, and fat. Carpenter ant tunnels are clean and look very smooth, making the wood appear that it has been sandpapered. In contrast, termite tunnels are not clean looking, but are packed with dirt-like material. Occasionally swarms may come out earlier during late winter on warm, sunny days. The best control is to apply an insecticide directly into the nest.