To effectively manage ants at your facility or home, it's essential to know how to locate an ant nest and understand what initially attracted the ants. Identifying ants can be challenging, but correct identification is crucial because food preferences, nesting sites, and other habits differ among species. These factors significantly influence the most effective methods for controlling them.
Identifying Ants: Key Characteristics
Ants are recognized by several key characteristics:
- A pair of elbowed (bent) antennae on the head.
- A constricted (pinched) area between the thorax and abdomen called the petiole.
- The petiole (part of the abdomen) has one or two nodes (bumps).
- Most ants are brownish to black, though they can also be yellow, reddish, or black and red. Color can be helpful but is not always definitive for identifying ants.
- Worker ants vary in size from as small as 1/20 inch long to 1/2 inch long.
Ants are sometimes mistaken for winged termites called swarmers. However, ants differ from termites by having a narrow, constricted waist, bent antennae, and hind wings shorter than front wings. Termites have a more rectangular-shaped body with no constrictions, straight, beaded antennae, and four wings of equal size and shape that are much longer than the body. Termite wings fall off easily and are usually found near where they emerge.
Ant Colony Structure
Ants live in colonies and are divided into different castes, each with specific responsibilities:
- Workers: Sterile, wingless females that perform tasks such as expanding the nest, gathering food, caring for eggs and larvae, and defending the nest. Some ant species have major (large) and minor (small) workers.
- Males: Generally the same size or larger than the workers. They have wings, a small head with large eyes, and are found in older, large colonies. Their sole purpose is to mate with the new queens, after which they die.
- Queens: The largest members of the colony, often two to three times larger than workers. Queens have wings but break them off after mating. They have very large abdomens and can live for a number of years. Some ant species have colonies with just one queen, while others have multiple queens.
Males and queens swarm (fly) from their nest in large numbers to mate, typically during a specific time of the year. After mating, the queens seek sites to begin their own nests. The presence of swarming winged ants inside buildings indicates an indoor ant nest.
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Nesting Habits of Ants
Ants exhibit a wide variety of nesting habits. Worker ants are responsible for building the nest for the colony.
- Some ants build nests in the soil in exposed areas, producing characteristic mounds. Ants that nest in the ground leave small piles of excavated soil just outside of nest entrances. These excavation piles often have a small “volcano” appearance.
- Others nest in the soil under objects like logs, bricks, or concrete.
- Some species nest in homes behind moldings, baseboards, countertops, wall voids, and similar places.
- Other ants nest in decaying or moisture-damaged wood. Some ant species routinely nest indoors, in wall cavities or in damaged wood inside structures.
Even if you have found one ant nest, the search may not yet be over. Some species of ants produce “satellite nests,” which are separate offshoots from the original nest.
Indoor Ants - Tips & Tricks For Finding The Nest
Food Preferences and Damage Caused by Ants
Different ant species feed on different types of food, including starches, meats, fats, and sweets. Damage from ants varies. Most are primarily a nuisance, causing little actual damage, although they can be annoying and even upsetting when found in your home. Some species can infest food, while others, like carpenter ants, can weaken wood in structures. While not common, at least one species, Pharaoh ant, has been known to transmit some diseases, like Salmonella.
Some ants nest in lawns. Fortunately, they do not feed on or injure grass, but their presence can be annoying. Cornfield ants nest in lawns where the grass is thinning or has become bare, creating small mounds. Field ants can nest in areas of the lawn that are growing well, creating mounds up to a foot in size.
Ant Control and Management
The first step in ant control is to identify them. Knowing which ant is present tells you where they like to nest and what they like to eat. Knowing this helps with the best way to control them.
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The most effective way to control ants is to put insecticide into the nest and kill the queen(s). This may be done with a direct treatment or by using bait. Sanitation is an important step to avoid attracting ants into a home. Seal cracks that ants are using to enter the home. Remove debris that can encourage ant nests.
Many ants enter homes from outside nests as they look for food. To find their nest, follow the ants. Ants usually take regular routes to and from their nest by making a chemical (pheromone) trail. The nest may be found by watching where the ants go. For some ants, such as carpenter ants, this works best at night, just after sunset. When the nest is found, it can be treated. In some cases, ants may need to be observed for 30 minutes or longer to locate a nest.
Ants can also be a nuisance in lawns because of the mounds they produce, especially if they are abundant. Outdoor nests can be very difficult to get rid of without applying an insecticide. Liquid insecticides can work if they are soaked into the nest. You may need 1/2 gallon or more of mixed material to treat large nests.
If ants are entering only through one area of the house, you can spot-treat that area. If it is not clear where the ants are entering, then treat a 2- to 4-foot wide area around the entire building. Insecticides used for treating the exterior of a building may be a liquid or granules. Ant baits sold in stores for home use are generally labeled for common household ants. Place baits where foraging workers are active.
Spraying may be useful for seasonal ant problems when ants enter from outside nests. If possible, observe the ants to locate and directly treat a nest. Certain types of ants can be more challenging to control than others. If ants continue to be a problem after control efforts have been attempted, consider consulting a pest management professional. Pest management professionals have the training and experience to deal with household ant problems.
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Specific Ant Species in South Africa
Here's a look at some specific ant species found in South Africa, along with their identification, nesting habits, and management strategies. Note that this information is adapted from observations in the North Central United States, but the principles apply broadly.
Carpenter Ants
How to identify:
- Petiole with one node.
- Workers have a thorax with an evenly rounded upper surface.
- Black, or black and red.
- Workers range in size from 3/16 to 1/2 inch; winged queens can be up to 3/4 inch.
- Colonies consist of major and minor workers.
What they eat:
- Other insects, both living and dead.
- Meat or other protein sources.
- Sweets, including honeydew, syrup, honey, sugar and jelly.
- Carpenter ants DO NOT eat wood; they chew wood into sawdust in the process of creating galleries and tunnels.
Where they nest:
- Moist or rotting wood, including trees or tree stumps.
- Behind bathroom tiles, around tubs, sinks, showers and dishwashers.
- Under roofing, in attic beams, and under subfloor insulation.
- In hollow spaces such as doors, curtain rods and wall voids.
- In soft polystyrene and other forms of insulation.
- Carpenter ant tunnels are clean and smooth, making the wood appear that it has been sandpapered. In contrast, termite tunnels are not clean looking but are packed with dirt-like material.
Mating swarms: April through June.
Prenolepis impairs (False Honey Ants)
How to identify:
- Petiole with one node
- Thorax is uneven in profile, looks pinched (workers only)
- First antennal segment (also called a scape) is much longer than the head
- False honey ants are light to dark brown
- Workers are about 1/8 inch long
What they eat:
- Prefer sweets, especially honeydew.
Where they nest:
- In soil in open, well-shaded sites. Their nests are rarely concealed under logs, stones, etc.
- They do not nest indoors.
Mating swarms: April through May.
Management: Tolerate when possible.
Formica spp. (Field Ants)
How to identify:
- Petiole has one node
- Thorax is uneven in profile (workers only)
- Distinct simple eyes (ocelli) on top of their head
- They are black, brown, red, or combinations of these colors
- Workers range in size from about 1/8 to 1/4 inch long
- Colonies consist of major and minor workers
What they eat:
- Household sweets and honeydew.
Where they nest:
- In soil in exposed areas. Some species make large mounds, up to 10 inches across.
- They also can nest under objects like wood, stones, and patio blocks.
- They do not nest inside buildings.
Mating swarms: July through September. Swarms can be very conspicuous outdoors in yards and neighborhoods.
Management: Primarily a problem because of the large mounds they build in lawns. Tolerate when possible.
Lasius interjectus (Yellow Ants)
How to identify:
- Petiole with one node
- Thorax is uneven in profile (workers only)
- Compound eye is small in proportion to the head
- Give off a pleasant citronella or lemon smell when crushed
- Yellow ants are yellowish to reddish-brown
- Workers are about 3/16 inch long
- Queens are about 5/16 inch long and often reddish and darker
What they eat:
- Honeydew, rarely other sweets.
Where they nest:
- In soil under stones, logs, bricks, patio blocks, concrete and other concealed areas.
- They also can nest in rotting wood.
- Yellow ants can nest in and around foundation walls and in soil under buildings on slab construction.
- Workers are rarely seen but may be found throwing out dirt or cement particles; they do not damage masonry or wood.
Mating swarms: April through September. Swarms are also common indoors during winter if ants are nesting under heated concrete slabs.
Management: Eliminate winged yellow ants with a vacuum or by hand. Large numbers can be treated with an aerosol insecticide labeled for flying insects, such as pyrethrins.
Tapinoma sessile (Odorous House Ants)
How to identify:
- Petiole with one node but it is hidden by the abdomen and is hard to see
- Thorax is uneven in profile (workers only)
- Gives off an unpleasant smell when crushed; some people compare it to rotten coconuts or blue cheese
- Odorous house ants are brown to dark brown
- Workers are about 1/10 inch long
What they eat:
- Sweets, especially honeydew, and live insects.
- Can forage indoors for sweets and other foods, including meats.
Where they nest:
- In soil under stones, boards, patio blocks, mulching plastic, and nearly any other object laying on the ground.
- They can nest in homes in walls voids and under floors, especially with nearby sources of moisture.
Mating swarms: June through July
Management:
- Check for outdoor nests, especially under stones, firewood, bricks, and other objects; treat any that are found.
- Also treat any honeydew-producing insects, like aphids that are nearby serving as a food source.
- The use of baits can be effective.
Thief Ants
Also referred to as grease ants, thief ants are the smallest household ants in the north central states. They nest near the nests of larger ants and steal their larvae.
What they eat: They prefer protein and greasy foods, such as meats, cheese, peanut butter and nuts, but will also eat sweets.
Where they nest: Thief ants commonly nest in soil and rotting wood. They can nest indoors in small spaces, under countertops, in wall voids, cabinet voids, behind baseboards.
Thief ants are especially common during mid to late summer when they enter homes from outside nests. Treat the building perimeter when thief ants are foraging into buildings from outside nests.
Pharaoh Ants
Pharaoh ants are an imported species, probably from the tropical regions of Africa. Due to their small size, pharaoh ants can easily be confused with thief ants.
What they eat: They feed on a wide variety of foods, especially those containing grease or fats.
Where they nest: Pharaoh ants nest strictly indoors in the north central states. They do not survive outdoors. They nest in a wide variety of small spaces, cracks and crevices, including behind countertops, baseboards, in wall voids, and many other small voids. They often nest near dark, warm sites and near sources of moisture.
Pharaoh ants do not have a mating swarm but produce new nests through a process called budding. When the colony becomes too large or is under stress, a group of workers take brood (i.e. larvae and pupae) and move to a new site.
Elimination of Pharaoh ants is difficult, and the service of an experienced pest management service is highly recommended. The use of baits is the best control, although the baits available to residents are generally not effective.
Crematogaster peringueyi (Cocktail Ants)
Crematogaster peringueyi is a southern African arboreal species of ant. They make their nests in old Protea flowers, dead, hollow branches, and under tree bark, also making nests constructed of well-chewed vegetable matter with the consistency of papier-mâché. The outer walls of these nests are blackened by the salivary secretions, and are thin, with the interior divided into irregular, connected cells, like a coarse sponge.
Trail-laying amongst cocktail ants involves shuffling their hind legs without touching of the soil with their abdomens, as is common with other ant species. This results in a setting of footprints for other foragers to follow.
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