Do carpenter ants consume wood?

Carpenter ants do not consume wood in the same way that termites do. Instead, they excavate wood to create their nests and get shelter, but their diet consists mainly of protein, which they acquire from other insects, and sugars, which may come from honeydew produced by aphids or from sugary substances like fruit or syrup.

The key point is that while they cause damage by tunneling through wood, they are not wood-eaters; they do not derive their nutrition from it. This substantial difference distinguishes carpenter ants from pests that do consume and digest wood. Understanding this behavior is essential for recognizing how to manage carpenter ant infestations effectively and address the damage they cause without confusing them with wood-consuming species.