Carpenter ants are black, red, or brown ants that tunnel through wood to form colonies. They live throughout the United States, particularly in the north. There are more than 1,000 species of carpenter ants. These ants rarely bite humans, and their bites aren't harmful.

Do little black ants bite humans?

Black ant bites and stings

Little black ants possess a stinger, but typically it is not big enough to do damage. On the other hand, carpenter ants can induce a burning feeling with their with their bites, as they can introduce formic acid.

What does a tree ant bite look like?

Identifying Carpenter Ant Bites

Carpenter ant bites resemble pea-sized red blemishes. For sensitive individuals, bites might swell, becoming inflamed and may take just over a week to disappear completely. Carpenter ant bites feel like sharp pinches because they are and may be quite painful.