This ant does not have many natural predators, but its habitat is being destroyed by urban and industrial development.
 Also a change in agriculture to a more intensive system of farming,  and the lack of traditional woodland management is diminishing their habitat.
The main issue is when the woodland canopy becomes too dense, it can shade out the ant nests which prefer lots of sunlight, and woodland glades can be encroached upon by woodland and so there is a loss sunlight to the woodland floor, which can also decimate their nests gradually over time   As a part of the UK biodiversity action plan, red wood ant preservation attempts are occurring.
 Colonies can be found in mixed conifer and deciduous woodland, and play a big role in the forest ecosystem.
Each colony can reach up about three million ants and live in above ground nests.
Nest size can range from as small as 10 cm to over 100 cm in height and up to 192 cm in width.
Size of the nest does not necessarily mean the nest is newer.
Small nests can continue to thrive for years at a time.
Nests are normally located in sunny areas and near woodland rides and glades.
 In areas where many colonies exist, linked trails can allow a super colony to form.
	Nests are created are above ground and shaped in a dome.
They are made with plant material and soil debris.
 The majority of the nest is created with organic matter.
Although the nests are made above ground, tunnels are created so that ants can reach to depths of 25–30 cm.
Ants change the area where they live by re-locating forests litter and animals living there.
These nests also provide a home to 43 different species of organisms.
This ant does not have many natural predators, but its habitat is being destroyed by urban and industrial development.  Also a change in agriculture to a more intensive system of farming,  and the lack of traditional woodland management is diminishing their habitat. The main issue is when the woodland canopy becomes too dense, it can shade out the ant nests which prefer lots of sunlight, and woodland glades can be encroached upon by woodland and so there is a loss sunlight to the woodland floor, which can also decimate their nests gradually over time   As a part of the UK biodiversity action plan, red wood ant preservation attempts are occurring.  Colonies can be found in mixed conifer and deciduous woodland, and play a big role in the forest ecosystem. Each colony can reach up about three million ants and live in above ground nests. Nest size can range from as small as 10 cm to over 100 cm in height and up to 192 cm in width. Size of the nest does not necessarily mean the nest is newer. Small nests can continue to thrive for years at a time. Nests are normally located in sunny areas and near woodland rides and glades.  In areas where many colonies exist, linked trails can allow a super colony to form. 	Nests are created are above ground and shaped in a dome. They are made with plant material and soil debris.  The majority of the nest is created with organic matter. Although the nests are made above ground, tunnels are created so that ants can reach to depths of 25–30 cm. Ants change the area where they live by re-locating forests litter and animals living there. These nests also provide a home to 43 different species of organisms.
Formica lugubris