Conquer the Crawlies: 2026 WDO Home Inspection Practice Exam – Defend Your Domain!

Carpenter ants do not consume wood in the same way that termites do. Instead of eating the wood, carpenter ants excavate it to create nests, effectively hollowing it out for their colonies. This behavior leads to structural damage in wooden structures, but it is important to note that the destruction occurs without the ants actually consuming the wood material. They prefer to feed on other organic substances, such as proteins and sugars, often found in decaying wood or food sources we provide, but the wood itself is not their food source. This distinction is key in understanding the nature of carpenter ant damage compared to other wood-destroying organisms.