Most carpenter ant species establish their initial nest in decayed wood, but, once established, the ants extend their tunneling into sound wood and can do considerable damage to a structure.
Typical of indications in Eastern Washington I find mainly foraging ants. North Central Washington typically does not see the same damage issues with Carpenter Ants as our counterparts in Western Washington. This is mainly due to the dryer conditions that exist in Eastern Washington.
Carpenter ants, genus Camponotus, belong to the subfamily Formicinae. Camponotus modoc and C. vicinus are common in Eastern Washington.
This particular ant is Camponotus Modoc.
Camponotus Vicinus which is also found in North Central Washington is may have solid dull black or yellowish-red to a combination of black and dull red or reddish-orange color.
