Color: The two most common species are Black in colors; others may range from black, brown and black, red and black, to light brown depending on the species. Length: 1/4″ – 1/2″ Although the same size as Florida carpenter ants, these ants are completely black instead of two-toned. Unlike the Florida species, the black carpenter ant does more damage to sound, undamaged wood. They don’t eat wood, but they hollow out “galleries” in wood for nesting that are so smooth they appear to be finished by sandpaper. They normally nest in dead portions of trees, stumps or logs and invade homes in search of food. They feed on living or dead insects and nearly all sweets, or meats inside and outside of the home.