--- title: What does a carpenter ant look like? description: What does a carpenter ant look like, exterminating carpenter ants, Massachusetts carpenter ant swarms, swarming ants image: https://blog.burgesspest.com/hs-fs/hub/460754/file-2666765770.jpg --- [![Burgess-and-Capeway-logo.png](https://blog.burgesspest.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Burgress_Oct2018/Images/Blog/Burgess-and-Capeway-logo.png?width=468&name=Burgess-and-Capeway-logo.png "Burgess-and-Capeway-logo.png")](https://www.burgesspest.com) 508-587-4309  |    [Customer Login ](http://login.burgesspest.com/) - - - - - Residential - [Pad Protection Plans](https://www.burgesspest.com/pad-protection-plans/) - [Ant Control](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-ant-control/) - [Tick & Mosquito Control](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-tick-mosquito-control/) - [Rodent Control](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-rodent-control/) - [Bee Control](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-bee-control/) - [Insulation Cleanouts](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-insulation-cleanouts/) - [TAP® Insulation](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-tap-insulation-installer/) - [Wildlife Control](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-wildlife-control/) - [Schedule an Inspection](https://www.burgesspest.com/schedule-an-inspection/) - Commercial - [Partnering with Burgess](https://www.burgesspest.com/partnering-with-burgess/) - [3-Part Plan](https://www.burgesspest.com/inspect-detect-correct/) - [A Higher Standard](https://www.burgesspest.com/higher-standard/) - [Services](https://www.burgesspest.com/services/) - [Disinfectant Services](https://www.burgesspest.com/disinfectant-services/) - [Sanitation Services](https://www.burgesspest.com/trash-chute-elevator-pit-cleaning/) - [Pest Management for Food Services](https://www.burgesspest.com/food-services-pest-management/) - [Pest Management for Warehousing & Distribution](https://www.burgesspest.com/warehouse-distribution-pest-management/) - [Our Guarantee](https://www.burgesspest.com/our-guarantee/) - [Pest Management for Healthcare](https://www.burgesspest.com/healthcare-pest-management/) - Termites - [Termite Control](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-termite-control/) - [The Sentricon System](https://www.burgesspest.com/the-sentricon-system/) - [Schedule an Inspection](https://www.burgesspest.com/schedule-a-termite-inspection/) - Bed Bugs - [Identifying Bed Bugs](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-bed-bug-control/) - [Heat Treatments](https://www.burgesspest.com/bed-bug-heat-treatments-in-massachusetts/) - [Let’s Talk!](https://www.burgesspest.com/lets-talk-bugs/) - Resources - [Our Blog](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog) - [Video Library](https://www.burgesspest.com/video-library/) - [SDS](https://www.burgesspest.com/sds/) - [Consumer Bulletins](https://www.burgesspest.com/consumer-bulletins/) - Company - [Our Story](https://www.burgesspest.com/our-story/) - [Careers at Burgess](https://www.burgesspest.com/careers-at-burgess/) - [Service Areas](https://www.burgesspest.com/service-areas/) - [Customer Reviews](https://www.burgesspest.com/customer-reviews/) ## Our Blog # What does a carpenter ant look like? By [Admin](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/author/admin)| Mar 25, 2015 1:56:55 PM |[0 Comments](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/what-does-a-carpenter-ant-look-like#comments-listing) After a cold and snowy winter, everything comes back to life in the spring in Massachusetts, including carpenter ants. From leaves on the trees to flowers emerging in our backyard, we feel new life among us.  [Carpenter ants](http://www.burgesspest.com/ant-control/) also feel this renewed life in Massachusetts when the temperature rises. As early as late February, we see a dramatic rise in carpenter ant infestations in Massachusetts. People often contact us asking, "What does a carpenter ant look like?" ![What does a carpenter ant look like](https://blog.burgesspest.com/hs-fs/hub/460754/file-2666765770.jpg?width=135&name=file-2666765770.jpg "What does a carpenter ant look like") Carpenter ants look like a typical black ant to most people. They are one of the largest ant species in North America and have large mandibles and antennae. However, unlike other species of ants, carpenter ant damage can be extensive. They thrive in damp conditions and nest in damp, decaying, or dead wood. Carpenter ants build nests by excavating wood, which leaves behind a sawdust that looks like pencil shavings. - Exterminating carpenter ants may involve gel, liquid or dusting products - Carpenter ant swarms can happen in the spring in Massachusetts - A carpenter ant looks like a large black ant with large mandibles Massachusetts carpenter ant swarms are also a common occurence in our region. Carpenter ant swarmers usually emerge when the colony is mature enough to reproduce and expand. For that reason, a Massachusetts carpenter ant swarm is in indication that the infestation may be extensive. Unlike termites, carpenter ant colonies do not eat wood. However, Massachusetts carpenter ants can cause considerable damage  to the structure of your home. It is generally not advisable to exterminate carpenter ants on your own due to the complex nature of their nesting habits. Carpenter ant exterminators like [Burgess Pest Management](http://www.burgesspest.com/) are trained in the best methods to solve the problem.  [![Get your FREE carpenter ant estimate!](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/460754/12efcfda-b3bc-4744-9cd3-a7c547f18566.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/460754/12efcfda-b3bc-4744-9cd3-a7c547f18566) Topics: [carpenter ants](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/carpenter-ants), [top exterminators south shore massachusetts](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/top-exterminators-south-shore-massachusetts), [exterminating carpenter ants](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/exterminating-carpenter-ants), [massachusetts carpenter ant swarms](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/massachusetts-carpenter-ant-swarms), [what does a carpenter ant look like](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/what-does-a-carpenter-ant-look-like), [best pest control boston](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/best-pest-control-boston), [south shore ma pest control](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/south-shore-ma-pest-control), [carpenter ant swarms](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/topic/carpenter-ant-swarms)  Thanks for visiting today! ### Have a Pest Problem?   [![New Call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/460754/cb31fb6d-9c1e-4916-b4b7-a37bbc4590a1.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/460754/cb31fb6d-9c1e-4916-b4b7-a37bbc4590a1) ### Get the latest in your inbox ### Recent Posts ##### Residential Pest Control - [Pad Protection Plans](https://www.burgesspest.com/pad-protection-plans/) - [Ant Control](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-ant-control/) - [Tick & Mosquito Control](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-tick-mosquito-control/) - [Rodent Control](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-rodent-control/) - [Bee Control](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-bee-control/) - [Insulation Cleanouts](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-insulation-cleanouts/) - [TAP® Insulation](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-tap-insulation-installer/) - [Massachusetts Wildlife Control](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-wildlife-control/) - [Schedule an Inspection](https://www.burgesspest.com/schedule-an-inspection/) ##### COMPANY - [Our Story](https://www.burgesspest.com/our-story/) - [Careers at Burgess](https://www.burgesspest.com/careers-at-burgess/) - [Service Areas](https://www.burgesspest.com/service-areas/) - [Customer Reviews](https://www.burgesspest.com/customer-reviews/) ##### Contact Us [508-587-4309](tel:508-587-4309) [email](mailto:info@burgesspest.com) - - - - ### SUBSCRIBE TO OUR BLOG: © 2022 Burgess Pest Management. 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