Chestnut Carpenter Ant
Camponotus castaneus
Unlike other carpenter ants, chestnut carpenter ants rarely excavate sound, structural wood. They prefer to nest outdoors in soil, under stones, or inside rotted logs.
About this species
Chestnut carpenter ants target decaying timber. If you find them inside your basement or crawl space, it doesn’t necessarily mean your home’s framing is at risk. Instead, treat them as a warning sign. They almost always point to a hidden moisture problem or water-damaged wood.
Identification
Size:
7–10 mm
Color:
Uniform reddish-brown-orange coloration
Key ID Features:
- Single petiole node
- Smooth thorax
- Large mandibles
- No thoracic spines
- Prefers soil nesting
- Rarely in wood galleries
Photos
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