Carpenter Ant FAQ for NH Homeowners

• Thief AntSolenopsis molesta1.3–1.8 mmPale yellow to honey-amber; gaster sometimes slightly darkerNuisance
• Hairless Rover AntBrachymyrmex depilis1.3–2 mmPale yellow to pale amber, almost translucentNuisance
• Pharaoh AntMonomorium pharaonis1.5–2 mmPale yellow to light amber; slightly darker gaster tipNuisance
• Little Black AntMonomorium minimum / Monomorium emarginatum1.5–2 mmShiny black to dark brown throughout; monomorphicNuisance
• Cornfield AntLasius neoniger2–3 mmBrown (not yellow like the citronella ants); workers slightly paler than F. subsericeaNuisance
• Odorous House AntTapinoma sessile2.4–3.3 mmUniform dark brown to nearly black, slightly shinyNuisance
• Acrobat AntCrematogaster cerasi2.5–3.5 mmBicolored — dark brown to black gaster, reddish-brown mesosomaNuisance
• Pavement AntTetramorium immigrans2.5–4 mmUniform dark brown to nearly black; parallel rugose grooves on head and thoraxNuisance
• Citronella AntLasius claviger / Lasius interjectus3–4.5 mm — much smaller than any CamponotusBright yellow to golden-yellowNuisance
• Smaller Carpenter AntCamponotus nearcticus3.5–7.5 mmConcolorous dark brown to black; shiny, largely hairless gasterDamages wood
• Field AntFormica subsericea5–8 mmRed-and-black bicolored; some all-black or all-red depending on speciesNuisance
• Carpenter AntCamponotus pennsylvanicus / C. novaeboracensis6–13 mmMatte black; C. novaeboracensis has a reddish-brown thorax with black head and gasterDamages wood

Only carpenter ants structurally damage a home — the other 10 are nuisances that ID still matters for, because the wrong DIY spray backfires. Not sure which you've got? A free inspection settles it.