Identifying characteristics

• Workers are polymorphic (different sizes), large, 1/4- to 1/2-inch long
• Black or bi colored red and black
• Petiole with 1 node
• Thorax smooth and evenly rounded when viewed from the side
• Strong odor emitted when disturbed
• Often associated with wood

Behavior

• Feed on dead and living insects, aphid and scale honeydew, and juices of ripe fruit; prefer sweets
• Do not feed on wood
• Travel in loose trails
• Forage mostly late in the day or at night
• Prefer moist or humid environments
• Piles of sawdust-like frass and insect parts deposited outside or nearby nests
• Bore into wood to make nests, sometimes causing serious structural damage

Nest type and size

• Main colony often outside on tree stumps, dead tree, firewood pile, or fence post
• Consist of extensive networks of galleries usually begun in areas of wood, soft from decay
• May contain several thousand individuals; indoor nests may be satellite colonies of a larger nest outdoors
• Up to 20 satellite colonies can be associated with main colony that contains the queen(s)
• Indoor colonies always associated with moisture and may occur in hollow doors, window or door frames, or the sub floor