Carpenter ants use wood as a nesting location for their colony. They do not consume wood, rather they create extensive tunnels to make room for their expanding colony. Carpenter ants are typically found outdoors in wood piles and tree holes, however, under the right conditions they are known to nest in building’s wooden structural supports. 

In many cases that carpenter ants are found in a home it is due to a lack of moisture control. Ensuring your crawlspace moisture levels remain below 15% will help prevent carpenter ants from being attracted to your home. It is also good practice to keep wood piles a good distance from your home, ensure tree limbs are cut back, and repair any foundational cracks, as to not create easy access to the home its self.