Carpenter ants only nest in wood that's already rotten (typically moist and rotten). They compete with termites and generally succeed in keeping termites away, as well as other less nice ants. They also make centralized nests in one piece of rotten wood instead of making tunnels all over in the wood like termites. Generally carpenter ants are not a threat to structures. Displacing relatively friendly insects often opens the door to less friendly invasive species that are also much harder to kill.
I might suggest a basement dehumidifier tho, along with putting out little bowls of water for the ants. Insects and ants in general come inside in search of moisture. Carpenter ants are slightly special in preferring extra moist places to nest. I highly recommend keeping carpenter ants around if those aren't already.
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Carpenter ants only nest in wood that's already rotten (typically moist and rotten). They compete with termites and generally succeed in keeping termites away, as well as other less nice ants. They also make centralized nests in one piece of rotten wood instead of making tunnels all over in the wood like termites. Generally carpenter ants are not a threat to structures. Displacing relatively friendly insects often opens the door to less friendly invasive species that are also much harder to kill.
But I don't know enough about ants to confirm your attempt at an ID. If they're all over the sidewalks, that seems less likely. And that description sounds like "pavement ants": https://www.google.com/search?q=pavement+ants&sca_esv=697ef796fdf142b1&sca_upv=1&sxsrf=ADLYWIK8X7dFVuzqwbYx8Amh2g4VYPxSUA%3A1715815932828&source=hp&ei=_EVFZq6OMNLx0PEPqeuIsAU&iflsig=AL9hbdgAAAAAZkVUDKtmOwsz-mis6tnHGDRm4gsANurU&ved=0ahUKEwiu_LG56JCGAxXSODQIHak1AlYQ4dUDCBc&uact=5&oq=pavement+ants&gs_lp=Egdnd3Mtd2l6Ig1wYXZlbWVudCBhbnRzSJgLUABY-QhwAHgAkAEBmAEAoAEAqgEAuAEDyAEA-AEBmAIAoAIAmAMAkgcAoAcA&sclient=gws-wiz
I might suggest a basement dehumidifier tho, along with putting out little bowls of water for the ants. Insects and ants in general come inside in search of moisture. Carpenter ants are slightly special in preferring extra moist places to nest. I highly recommend keeping carpenter ants around if those aren't already.