When do carpenter ants typically choose to nest?

Carpenter ants typically choose to nest in damp or rotten wood. This preference is largely due to the fact that moist wood is easier for them to excavate, enabling them to create their intricate tunnel systems. Damp wood is also often a sign of existing moisture issues, which can provide a suitable environment for other desirable conditions, such as the presence of decaying organic material that can attract other insects and sources of food.

While carpenter ants may forage in healthy wood or even utilize live trees for some aspects of their life cycle, these are not their preferred nesting sites. Healthy, dry wood is generally too tough for them to excavate easily, and sandy soil does not offer the structural support or moisture content they seek for nesting purposes. By focusing on damp or rotten wood, carpenter ants are effectively utilizing their ecological niche, ensuring that their colonies can thrive in the conditions that support their developmental needs.