Easy to keep -
 
Considered a diverse carpenter ant the Americanus is always found around wood. They do however have a wide and expanse habitat across the south east of the USA and have adapted to very contrasted environments from marsh land to forest.
 
Oak is a favoured habitat for the Americanus and all varieties of live oak will be in the locale of a nest, pine is also appealing to them. Despite this the Camponotus Americanus, unlike most, will not actually be found nesting in the wood as it is extremely rare to see them in fallen rotten wood.
 
Red and Brown clay soils are the preferred nest sites, along with brown sand. They will dig a nest with a single entrance hole in the ground, often under stones but never with a mound. This means homes in or around woodland of any kind can experience Americanus as a house pest given their large colonies and quest for food.
 
Unlike most camponotus they are very aggressive as they mature, they will defend until the end but are not adverse to looking for trouble. As with all carpenters they really love sugar! Aphids are a great source both above ground and underground.
 
One of the main reasons to be nesting in woodland may well be for the abundance of small insects and arboreal aphids to farm. Carpenter ants are also known by the name "Sugar Ants", this is very much true, with sweet nectar they will fill their gaster as full as possible creating some beautiful translucent bands.
 
In the wild colonies can grow to to impressive sizes in the region of 20,000 workers. Americanus is a rewarding and reasonably fast growing species. Especially once they reach a colony size of 20 plus workers you can take your breath and enjoy them, they become stable quickly at 20 and will develop nicely.
 
Queen
Age - Up to 12 years (estimated)
Monogyne - One queen per nest
Fully Claustral - No food until first workers
Size - 16mm
Colony - Up to 20,000
Temperature & Humidity
Nest 22 to 28 Degrees | Outworld 25 to 30 Degrees
Nest 45% to 60% | Outworld 30% to 60%
Diapause / Hibernation
Yes - December to February they will take a break
Polymorphic (Yes)
Minor Worker - 5mm to 8mm Major Worker - 9mm to 13mm
Bite
They will bite if threatened
Diet
Sugars, Proteins (small insects like fruit flies and fly larvae)
Always ensure a constant fresh water supply is provided
Nest Type
Natural, Acrylic, Ytong, Earth, Glass
Development
Egg to Adult Worker - 8 to 12 weeks