The answer to 'types of carpenter ant' is that there are several common species of carpenter ants found in homes and buildings. The most widespread species are the black carpenter ant and the red carpenter ant. Carpenter ants are large, black or reddish-brown ants that nest in wood, often in damp or decaying areas of a home's structure. They tunnel through wood to create their nests, but unlike termites, they do not eat the wood itself.
Other less common types of carpenter ants include the Florida carpenter ant, the western carpenter ant, and the giant Amazon ant. These ants can vary in size, color, and nesting habits, but they all share the ability to cause structural damage to homes by tunneling through wood. Identifying the specific species of carpenter ant is important for determining the best treatment and control methods.