Velvety Tree Ant

The velvety tree ant is named for it’s velvety abdomen, and making use of hollows in trees for nesting. This ant is fairly good sized, around 3/8″ long, and can be identified by its red thorax. Crushing a tree ant gives off a rotten coconut smell like the odorous house ant. However be careful, if disturbed they can inflict a painful bite. These ants occasionally infest homes, leaving telltale frass behind as they clear out wood to make a nest. They do this similar to a carpenter ant, though not as damaging. Velvety tree ants eat other insects, dead animals, and primarily sweet foods inside. Sometimes it can be necessary to apply a treatment to an infested tree.