If you have Carpenter Ants inside your house they are there for a reason, they are a symptom of a more serious problem, wet wood. Find this wet wood and fix the reason the wood gor wet, a leak someplace, and the Carpenter Ants will leaves. Ants outside the house are not a problem and are a major part of Ma NAtures recycling machine working away to keep us from being buried in our own trash.

Thanks for the replies... I live in Northern NJ and have attached a clearer picture(i think). We too get plenty of bugs inside, but usually on stinkbugs in the colder months. Yes it has wings, they are shorter than the body.

Thank you, tj and Jean for your spot-on suggestions. I took your advice, and several certified arborists confirmed everything you said. The tree is not hazardous and leaving it be seems to be the best option. We were even advised not to try to exterminate the carpenter ants--apparently, they are happy where they are and not motivated to come into our home. An inspection of our home revealed no sign of carpenter ant infestation. I still cannot believe how out original arborist could be so wrong! Thank you both for putting me on the right track and saving me a lot of money and frustration, not to mention the loss of a good tree!

Yes, these are 100% carpenter ants. I saved some samples and the pest control co. Confirmed. I have researched it extensively, so understand about how they nest, the queen, and etc. Just nothing has worked including the pest co that just sprayed. The carpenter ant gel and granules did not work either, although they did hit on the granules and take it back to the nest, apparently it did not kill the queen. Please see my response to kimmq concerning wet or rotting wood. Thanks Much!