Carpenter ants have constricted waists and elbowed antennas. After mating, the males die and newly fertilized females establish a new colony in a small cavity in wood. A mature colony can take six years to develop, and may have 4,000 ants. The larger workers guard the nest, battle intruders, and explore for food. Workers are known to travel as far as 100 yards from their nest for food.
Smaller workers expand the nest and care for the young.
Nests are usually established in soft, moist wood. Occasionally, nests may be established in an existing wood cavity that is dry. Workers cut galleries in the wood to expand the nest size. These galleries are irregular, with smooth walls. Shredded wood fragments, which look like sawdust, are carried from the nest and deposited outside.