What type of wood damage is common with carpenter ants?

Carpenter ants are known for creating nests in wood, and their damage is characterized by leaving irregular but clean galleries. Unlike some wood-boring insects that might produce smooth, uniform holes, carpenter ants excavate wood to create tunnels and spaces for their colonies. The galleries they create have a rough, irregular appearance because they chew through the wood rather than bore through it uniformly.

Additionally, carpenter ants remove wood debris from their nests, which can often be found as frass (wood shavings mixed with excrement) around their entry points. This behavior of creating irregular galleries is a key identifying factor for recognizing damage caused by carpenter ants, distinguishing it from damage caused by other pests like termites. Understanding this specific characteristic helps in the identification and treatment of wood damage during inspections.