The answer to 'what is carpenter ant' is that carpenter ants are a type of large black ant that nests in wood. They are known for building their nests inside the wood of homes, trees, and other structures. Carpenter ants do not actually eat the wood, but they tunnel through it to create their nests and colonies. This can cause significant structural damage over time if left untreated.
Carpenter ants are often mistaken for termites, but they differ in several key ways. Termites feed directly on the wood, while carpenter ants simply tunnel through it to create their nests. Carpenter ants also have a distinct 'elbowed' antenna and a narrow 'waist' between their thorax and abdomen, unlike termites.