The answer to 'what attracts carpenter ant' is that carpenter ants are attracted to moist, decaying wood in and around homes. They are looking for a place to nest and establish a colony. Carpenter ants don't actually eat the wood, but they tunnel through it to build their nests, which can cause significant structural damage over time.
Common signs of a carpenter ant infestation include finding large black ants in the home, seeing piles of wood shavings or debris, and noticing small entry holes in wood. They are often drawn to areas with water damage, leaks, or excess moisture from things like leaky pipes, poor ventilation, or rotting wood. Addressing the moisture issue and eliminating their food sources is key to getting rid of carpenter ants.