BLOG

Ant Species Identification

Most ant species are very similar from a physiological perspective. Tiny and black, with six legs, two antennae and a segmented body, we all know an ant when we see one. But what if we’re looking for a particular species. In this article, we’re going to help you tell the difference between common household ant species.

Red imported fire ants

Red imported fire ants are one of the most common ant pests that you can have on your property. These ants are known for their very painful sting, and their aggression when someone is near their nest. You will be able to recognize them by their reddish-brown color, and their fairly small size. You will also find their mounds outdoors, which are connected to their underground colony.

Carpenter ants

Carpenter ants are the equivalent of termites, in that they infest the wood of a building, destroying it from the inside in order to build their nests. You can easily identify these ants when they’re out and about foraging for food thanks to their large size which can reach as much as half an inch in length. They are also black in coloration, and they are not able to sting.

Acrobat ants

Acrobat ants are a bit similar to the carpenters in appearance, and they can also infest wood, although they will not do as much damage. In order to tell the two species apart, you can try to prod the ant when you see it, and if it starts to take a defensive posture where it seems that it is doing a headstand, then you know that you are dealing with acrobat ants.

Pharaoh ants

Pharaoh ants are one of the smallest species that you will find scurrying around, usually measuring about 1/32” in length. The ants are translucent, and they will nest inside cardboard boxes, wall voids, and electrical boxes among others. Their diet mainly consists of foods high in sugar.

Crazy ants

Crazy ants are known for their rapid and erratic movements. In terms of appearance, they are similar to pharaoh ants, but it is their behavior that will let you know that you are dealing with crazy ants. They are considered a pest species that will infest the soil of potted plants.

Dealing with an ant infestation

Whenever you notice an ant in the home, you cannot be sure if you are dealing with a fairly harmless species or with one that will wreak havoc on the building, unless you have experience and a trained eye. If you notice an ant that seems a bit out of the ordinary, contact us right away and we will come over and perform an inspection.