Ant nests usually are produced underground and colonies contain tens of thousands of workers. The large carpenter ants construct nests in wood that is almost always partially decayed. Other than the occasional carpenter ant colony, few ants in Colorado form a nest indoors, with the exception of the pharaoh ant. Worker ants forage constantly during the warmer months of the season. The workers lay down a chemical trail as they forage, which helps direct other workers to foods.
Ants feed on a variety of foods.
Sugary materials are preferred by most species. Seeds, grease or protein-rich foods and insect pests make up the diet of other ants. They nest in loose soil around rocks and foundations. Although field ants do not nest indoors, nests adjacent to or under homes allow these ants to forage indoors during early spring, before other ants are active. Field ants feed on a variety of foods.