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Common types of ants
In the Western United States, there are a number of different types of ants that you can encounter. Black ants are extremely common, but you could be seeing carpenter ants or other little black ants. Other ants like odorous house ants and pavement ants can also be a threat to your home, but that doesn't account for all of the different ant species out there.
It's also important to know that depending on which ant you're seeing, there could be a difference in how you get rid of them. While the easiest way to avoid an infestation is to prevent ants from your home in the first place, you might find yourself seeing ants around your home that need identifying.
Western Exterminator knows how to identify which ant you are seeing and can provide the ant control solution to get rid of ants for good. Check out the different ants you could see or call us at 800-937-8398.
Different ant species
Some ant species live in colonies that are supported by a single queen while others are supported by multiple queens. Although there are 1,000 ant species known in the U.S., there are relatively few that we commonly see as pests. These include:
Argentine ant
(Linepithema humile)
Appearance
- Workers - about 1.6mm long.
- Light to dark brown in color.
- Do not swarm.
- Bite – do not sting.
Lifecycle
- Worker ants are produced in spring and increase in numbers up until autumn.
- Winged ants (reproductive kings and queens), produced in early spring, before the workers, mature within three months and mate soon afterwards.
- Argentine ants mate in their nest so no swarming is seen.
Habits
- Worker ants will follow food trails for long distances so nests are not easy to track.
- They prefer sweet foods but will also eat live and dead insects, meats, cereals and damaged fruit.
- Argentine ants drive out other ant species from an area.
Carpenter ant
(Camponotus pennsylvanicus)
Appearance
- Workers - 1/4’ long.
- queen - ½” long
- Mostly black all over
- 6 legs.
Lifecycle
- Swarms appear in the spring
- Colonies of carpenter ants can live from 3-6 years
Habits
- Locations - both moist and dry wood, but prefer moist, especially wood dampened by water leaks.
- Internally - excavate galleries in wood with a smooth appearance.
- Externally - sometimes hollow out sections of trees.
- Visibility - hunt for food mainly at night but also during the day in early spring/summer. They do not eat wood. In homes, they are attracted to sweet substances, fats, grease, and meats.
- Contact - rarely come into contact with people, but if they do will try to escape. They cannot sting.
Fire ant
(Solenopsis spp.)
Appearance
- Queens - 5/8" long.
- Workers - 1/8"-1/4" long.
- Coppery–brown on the head and body, with a darker abdomen.
- Solenopsis has a very distinctive two–segment antennal club, which is most visible in the front view of the female reproductive ant.
Lifecycle
- After swarming from the nest and mating, the queen searches for a suitable spot to lay her eggs. Once found, she can lay up to 125 eggs in late Spring.
- Larvae hatch within 8 to 10 days, and the pupal stage lasts for 9 to 16 days.
- Larvae feed on secretions from the queen’s salivary glands and broken down wing muscles until the first worker ants emerge. After this first batch of larvae molt into workers the queen’s role returns to egg laying – she can lay up to 1500 per day. Worker ants continue with larval care, nest building, and food foraging.
- Fertile males are produced later in the season.
Habits
- Foraging workers' diet consists of dead animals, including insects, earthworms, and vertebrates. Workers also collect honeydew and forage for sweet food, proteins, and fats.
- Swarming characteristics – mating between queens and fertile males takes place on the wing mid to late Summer. Males perish after mating.
- Nest locations can be a mound of up to 40 cm or next to objects found on the ground, e.g. logs.
- If aggravated, these react aggressively and can inflict a painful sting, resulting in a pustule some 48 hours later.
- These ants are a major agricultural and urban pest, destroying crops and invading residential areas both outdoors and indoors.
Pharaoh ant
(Monomorium pharaonis)
Appearance
- Workers - 1.5-2mm long, yellow-brown with brown abdomen.
- Males - 3mm long, black, winged.
- Queens - 3.5-6mm long, dark red in color with wings.
- Black eyes, 2 nodes on the pedicel.
Lifecycle
- Multi-queen colonies.
- Winged adults seldom fly and so are rarely seen. Wings are soon lost after mating.
Habits
- Well–defined trails are laid which are often associated with heating systems. Feeds indoors on high protein foods — meat, fats, blood, dead insects, etc.
- Budding — new colonies are often formed through nests that have been disturbed e.g., as a result of insecticide spray treatments.
- Each queen produces up to 3,500 eggs in its lifetime.
- Nest locations — deep-seated in cavities in heated buildings. Often found in hospitals. Associated with humid conditions. Colonies can range from a few dozen to 300,000 individuals.
Thief ant
(Solenopsis molesta)
Appearance
- Body color ranges from brown to pale yellow.
- A two-segmented club at the end of the antennae.
Lifecycle
- Multi-queen colonies.
- Mating flights take place in late July to early fall.
- Some mated females may return to the nest after the nuptial flight.
Habits
- Nests are located in very small cavities; under debris or objects on soil, behind wall paneling or loose floor molding, and within wall voids or cabinets.
- They feed on meats, breads, fruits, animal fats, oils, nuts, and dairy products, but will readily feed on sweets.
- Outside, they will look for almost anything organic, including insects, honeydew, seeds, and germinating seeds.
Harvester ant
(Pogonomyrmex spp.)
Appearance
- Orange to reddish, reddish to dark brown to brownish black.
- Long hair under the chin.
Lifecycle
- Swarm from June to October, but most commonly in August and September.
- Colonies have been documented to live as many as 17 years.
- Males die soon after mating.
Habits
- When swarming, they will often fly to a high spot, such as a tower on a building, before moving on.
- Their favorite food is the seeds of different types of grasses.
- Harvester ants do not invade homes and are found outdoors.
- Nest locations — 10 to 15 feet deep into the ground and they clear an area ranging from 1 to 35 feet in diameter around the entrance hole.
Odorous house ant
(Tapinoma sessile)
Appearance
- Black or brown bodies.
- 1/16″ to 1/8″.
- Live in colonies of up to 100,000 members.
- No stinger.
Lifecycle
- Commonly nest in and/or around houses.
- Become numerous and spread during spring and summer.
- During winter, return to a central nest location.
- Can re-infest homes again and again unless the nest is removed.
Habits
- Known for a strong rotten coconut or rancid butter smell when squished.
- Feed on dead insects and sugary substances.
- Seen in kitchens, bathrooms, cupboards or anywhere food crumbs or food residue is found.
- Commonly nest in or around houses and in wall voids.
Longhorn crazy ant
(Paratrechina longicornis)
Appearance
- Grayish black body.
- Long legs and antennae give them a distinctive erratic movement.
- The mesosoma (middle section) is uneven in profile, unlike many other ant species.
Lifecycle
- Colonies may contain multiple queens, allowing them to form supercolonies.
- Alates (winged reproductive ants) emerge during warmer months to establish new nesting sites.
- Eggs hatch into larvae, which develop into pupae before reaching adulthood.
Habits
- Known for their rapid, erratic movements when foraging.
- Nests in a variety of locations, including soil, under debris, within walls, and electrical equipment, sometimes causing structural damage.
- Feeds on a diverse food source, including insects, honeydew, fruits, and household scraps.
Ghost ant
(Tapinoma melanocephalum)
Appearance
- Small, about 1.3 to 1.5 mm in length.
- Dark brown head and mesosoma (the mid-section) with a translucent or milky-white abdomen and legs.
- The petiole (a small, nearly hidden segment that connects the thorax and abdomen, useful for identification) is small and hidden, making identification difficult.
Lifecycle
- Forms multi-queen colonies, allowing for rapid expansion.
- New colonies are created through budding.
Habits
- Prefers warm, humid environments and can nest in both indoor and outdoor nesting sites.
- Feeds on sweets, honeydew, proteins, and grease.
- Often found in kitchens, bathrooms, and potted plants.
Acrobat ant
(Crematogaster spp.)
Appearance
- Body color ranges from light brown to black, sometimes with a reddish hue.
- Heart-shaped abdomen that can be raised over the thorax when threatened.
- Long legs and two-segmented petiole.
Lifecycle
- Colonies are usually small and contain a single queen, though some can be large, with thousands of nestmates.
- Winged alates emerge in late spring or early summer to mate and form new colonies.
- Worker ants care for the young and forage for food.
Habits
- Builds nests in decaying wood, tree stumps, and sometimes inside buildings, causing potential structural damage.
- Forages for a variety of food sources, including insects, sweet foods, and proteins.
- Can aggressively defend their nests when disturbed.
Big-headed ant
(Pheidole megacephala)
Appearance
- Workers come in two forms: major and minor workers.
- Major workers (soldiers) have disproportionately large heads compared to their bodies.
- Body color ranges from light brown to reddish-brown.
Lifecycle
- Colonies contain multiple queens, leading to rapid colony growth.
- Mating flights occur seasonally, releasing alates to form new colonies.
- Eggs hatch into larvae, which develop into either workers or reproductive ants.
Habits
- Prefers to nest in soil, under rocks, logs, or within building cracks.
- Feeds on a variety of food sources, including insects, seeds, and household scraps.
- Can form supercolonies, making them difficult to eliminate from infested areas.
How to identify different ant species
Identifying different types of ants can be challenging since many share similar traits. Looking at characteristics like body size, color, and nesting habits can help pinpoint the ant species. Some types of ants have distinct markings, while others are identified by their movement patterns or preferred food sources. Knowing these differences is key to effective ant control.
Examining the behavior of different kinds of ants also provides clues about their species. For instance, common house ants often seek out sugary foods, while carpenter ants target wooden structures. For more information, check out our guide on everything you should know about ants.
Do you need professional ant control?
If you're dealing with an ant infestation, knowing when to seek professional help is essential. While some ant problems can be managed with DIY ant control methods, others require expert treatment to prevent recurring issues and long-term damage. Understanding the severity of an infestation and the species involved can help you determine the best course of action.
Identifying which ant species need professional treatment
Some kinds of ants require expert intervention due to the damage they cause or the difficulty of removing them. Some ant names to remember include:
- Carpenter ants – These ants excavate wood softened by water damage and fungi, causing structural damage over time. Unlike common house ants, they don’t just invade homes for food but actively weaken wooden structures.
- Fire ants – Known for their aggressive behavior and painful stings, fire ants pose a danger to both people and pets. Controlling this species requires a specialized approach.
- Argentine ants – These ants form massive supercolonies, with fascinating structures and roles, which can make DIY treatments ineffective. Their sheer numbers make professional pest control the best option for eradication.
If any of these different types of ants are present in your home or business, professional treatment is highly recommended to prevent damage and ensure safety.
When to call an expert for ant infestations
While some ant types can be controlled with DIY methods, an expert should be called in if:
- Ants keep returning despite repeated treatments.
- You notice large numbers of winged ants (alates) inside your home.
- Ant nests are found within walls, floors, or other hard-to-reach areas.
- You suspect wood damage, indicating the presence of carpenter ants.
- Painful stings or allergic reactions occur from fire ants in the home or yard.
A pest professional can correctly identify the different kinds of ants in your home and apply targeted treatments to eliminate them.
How Western Exterminator can help with ant identification and removal
Western Exterminator specialists are trained to identify and remove different types of ants using effective, long-term solutions. Our team conducts thorough inspections to locate nests and determine which ants are infesting your property. By understanding the types of ants involved, we can apply the most appropriate treatment methods.
We don’t just eliminate the immediate problem—we also implement preventative measures to keep ants and other pests from returning. Whether you’re dealing with house ants, or different kinds of ants, like carpenter ants, our experts have the tools and knowledge to resolve the infestation efficiently.
If you’re struggling with an ant problem, contact Western Exterminator today to schedule an inspection and protect your home from these unwanted pests.
For more information about ants, check out our article: interesting facts about ants.
Frequently asked questions
How do I identify which ants I have?
Look at size, color, and behavior. Some ants, like carpenter ants, are large and excavate wood, while others, like odorous house ants, are small and attracted to sweet food.
What are the hardest ants to get rid of?
Argentine ants and crazy ants are difficult to control due to their large colonies and ability to relocate quickly when disturbed.
What is the most common household ant?
Odorous house ants are one of the most frequently encountered ants in homes, often searching for sugary foods.
What is the most harmful ant?
Fire ants pose the biggest immediate threat due to their painful stings, which can cause allergic reactions in some individuals.