Carpenter Ants vs. Black Ants: Key Differences & How to Get Rid of Them
Carpenter Ants are large, wood-excavating insects that nest inside damp timber; Black Ants are smaller, sugar-seeking foragers that nest in soil or cracks and rarely damage structures.
Because both species are dark and march in lines through kitchens, homeowners assume “black” equals “harmless.” Yet when hollow-sounding beams and sawdust piles appear, they wonder if they’ve been hosting silent carpenters instead.
Key Differences
Carpenter Ants: 6–13 mm, reddish-black, smooth thorax, wood shavings near baseboards. Black Ants: 2–5 mm, jet black, ridged thorax, soil or sand piles by doorways.
Which One Should You Choose?
Pick “get rid” methods by ID: bait gels and perimeter sprays for Black Ants; locate and replace moist wood, then use boric-acid dust or professional injection foams for Carpenter Ants.
Can I just spray Raid on both?
Raid knocks down foragers but leaves hidden colonies—especially carpenter nests deep in studs—untouched and rebuilding within days.
How do I tell which ant is which at 2 a.m.?
Flash a light: if the body is longer than a grain of rice and the waist has one node, it’s a Carpenter Ant; smaller, two-node waist equals Black Ant.