Carpenter Ants are large ants that destroy wood but do not eat the protein substance derived from wood particles like termites do. However, they are classified as a wood destroying insect.
The most common in North Texas is the Red and Black Texas Carpenter ant. The only external indication of infestation other than of workers and/or swarmers is the appearance of small openings or windows on the surface of the wood. Through these, the workers expel debris which consist of saw-dust like material or shavings and/or fragments of insulation and dead ant body parts. This is the result of enlarging a void cavity in order to move the queen and/or queens in and to also make room for the care of brood.
