All species of carpenter ants mainly attack wood that is softened by moisture and/or damaged by mold. In Maine we have red and black carpenter ants and their habits and sizes are similar, but the black ant is more common. The carpenter ants first invade wet, decayed wood, they may soon begin building paths through dry, undamaged wood. They usually come into buildings through windows, water leak around chimney, leaking water pipes cracks around doors/frame, floors especially were soil touches wood, any open holes in building structure. They will also crawl along overhead wires, shrubs, or tree limbs that touch the building far above the ground