Camponotus modoc ant or Western Carpenter Ant is a black carpenter ant with dark red legs. Workers range in size from 7 to 13 millimetres (0.28 to 0.51 in).

Habitat

It occurs in Western North America, where it makes nests in dead wood, including dead logs in the forests, as well as human houses.,^[1][2]

Modoc - Carpenter ant

Identification Carpenter Ants have an evenly curved "thoracic dorsum", this is the back of the insect. The most common member of this family is Modoc; it is black with reddish colored legs, but color is not a good indicator as some types have red parts. These ants are often found moving along foraging lines about 1 foot apart. Trees, fences and firewood are all regular paths that they are known to use.

Damage in the Home

Carpenter ants will damage homes by nesting in them. The will dig out tunnels in wood to expand their living spaces and can lead to structural damage. The infestation in the home usually is a satellite colony, with the main one within a hundred yards or more in a stump or other decayed wood. When colonies start to establish themselves in homes, they may start small (a few hundred members) but can grow to several tens of thousands. There can be 20 or more satellite colonies.

References