Ants
Arizona is home to over 300 species of ant. Which is more than any other state in the U.S. They are social insects like bees & termites and their colonies can range from a few dozen to several hundred thousand consisting of a queen or queens, reproductive ants, soldiers and workers. Ants are wingless except for the reproductives. They reproduce by swarming in spring and summer. Once mating is complete, the queens will find a suitable place to start the colony.
They become a problem when they invade our homes or businesses, or get into food supplies. Keeping your home or business clean is the main step in controlling them indoors, but sometimes ants will invade even the cleanest of spaces in search of water. Typically in kitchens, bathrooms and utility rooms. Some can be even be dangerous if you, your child or pet steps near an ant hill. Being that there are so many different species we'll discuss just a few of the most common/problematic in the Phoenix area.
Fire Ants
Size: 1/16 to 1/8 of an inch
Color: Shiny black, red or black & red
Diet: sweets, proteins, meats, honeydew, other insects
Southern/Desert Fire Ants are extremely common in the low desert. Not to be confused with Red Imported Fire Ants aka RIFA, which Arizona has so far been successful in keeping from establishing here. The hills they make are unique looking, containing many crater like mounds of soft dirt. Be sure not to step on them because they will aggressively defend their nest. Fire ant stings can be quite painful. The reaction is usually localized swelling although children, pets, and people allergic to them could have far worse affects.
Harvester Ants
Size: 3/8 of an inch
Color: Red or black
Diet: Primarily seeds
Harvester Ants are very large ants. Colonies can be massive with 10's of thousands of workers. They are known to forage long distances for food and water. Nest sites are noticeable by a large circular area where grass has been clipped down by them. Due to their size, it's easy to notice the number of ants and where they are entering/exiting the nest. These ants primarily feed on seeds and do not typically venture inside a home. Many times people think these are Fire Ants because of their size and color but they are actually much bigger. However, one similarity the two share is the ability to sting. A sting from a harvester ant is very painful and considered to be one of the top 10 worst insect stings as far as the pain is considered.
In controlling these ants locating the nest is crucial.
Pavement Ants
Size: 3/16 inch
Color: light brown to black, legs uaually lighter in color
Diet: meats, greases, sweets
The presence of Pavement Ants is usually detected by the large craters of loose soil often seen in cracks in concrete and asphalt, or between pavers. Like most ants they feed on a variety of things like meats, greases, sweets etc. They will invade our homes in search of food and water. Pavement Ants do possess a stinger but stings are not common as they are not aggressive.
Pharoah Ants
Size: 1/16 to 1/8inch
Color: light brown to yellow or appearing reddish. Almost translucent
Diet: sweets, proteins, greases
Pharoah Ants may be seen trailing in great numbers. Individuals sometimes seem to be running frantically.
Colonies contain up to hundreds of queens and may bud (disperse) and create many more individual colonies if they are disturbed or if workers begin to die. Because of this special products MUST be used to control them. DO NOT attempt to deal with them yourself or you may end up with a bigger problem.
Little Black Ants
Size: 1/16inch or 1 to 2mm
Color: shiny black
Diet:loves sweets but feeds on proteins as well
As the name implies these ants are tiny. Many people dont even know they are ants because they are so small. Invade structures often and will be seen in kitchens and bathrooms trailing or just roaming randomly.
Ants can be difficult to get rid of so it is best left to a professional.
Contact Kyle's Pest Solution @ 623-760-6025 for more information about ant control.
Arizona is home to over 300 species of ant. Which is more than any other state in the U.S. They are social insects like bees & termites and their colonies can range from a few dozen to several hundred thousand consisting of a queen or queens, reproductive ants, soldiers and workers. Ants are wingless except for the reproductives. They reproduce by swarming in spring and summer. Once mating is complete, the queens will find a suitable place to start the colony.
They become a problem when they invade our homes or businesses, or get into food supplies. Keeping your home or business clean is the main step in controlling them indoors, but sometimes ants will invade even the cleanest of spaces in search of water. Typically in kitchens, bathrooms and utility rooms. Some can be even be dangerous if you, your child or pet steps near an ant hill. Being that there are so many different species we'll discuss just a few of the most common/problematic in the Phoenix area.
Fire Ants
Size: 1/16 to 1/8 of an inch
Color: Shiny black, red or black & red
Diet: sweets, proteins, meats, honeydew, other insects
Southern/Desert Fire Ants are extremely common in the low desert. Not to be confused with Red Imported Fire Ants aka RIFA, which Arizona has so far been successful in keeping from establishing here. The hills they make are unique looking, containing many crater like mounds of soft dirt. Be sure not to step on them because they will aggressively defend their nest. Fire ant stings can be quite painful. The reaction is usually localized swelling although children, pets, and people allergic to them could have far worse affects.
Harvester Ants
Size: 3/8 of an inch
Color: Red or black
Diet: Primarily seeds
Harvester Ants are very large ants. Colonies can be massive with 10's of thousands of workers. They are known to forage long distances for food and water. Nest sites are noticeable by a large circular area where grass has been clipped down by them. Due to their size, it's easy to notice the number of ants and where they are entering/exiting the nest. These ants primarily feed on seeds and do not typically venture inside a home. Many times people think these are Fire Ants because of their size and color but they are actually much bigger. However, one similarity the two share is the ability to sting. A sting from a harvester ant is very painful and considered to be one of the top 10 worst insect stings as far as the pain is considered.
In controlling these ants locating the nest is crucial.
Pavement Ants
Size: 3/16 inch
Color: light brown to black, legs uaually lighter in color
Diet: meats, greases, sweets
The presence of Pavement Ants is usually detected by the large craters of loose soil often seen in cracks in concrete and asphalt, or between pavers. Like most ants they feed on a variety of things like meats, greases, sweets etc. They will invade our homes in search of food and water. Pavement Ants do possess a stinger but stings are not common as they are not aggressive.
Pharoah Ants
Size: 1/16 to 1/8inch
Color: light brown to yellow or appearing reddish. Almost translucent
Diet: sweets, proteins, greases
Pharoah Ants may be seen trailing in great numbers. Individuals sometimes seem to be running frantically.
Colonies contain up to hundreds of queens and may bud (disperse) and create many more individual colonies if they are disturbed or if workers begin to die. Because of this special products MUST be used to control them. DO NOT attempt to deal with them yourself or you may end up with a bigger problem.
Little Black Ants
Size: 1/16inch or 1 to 2mm
Color: shiny black
Diet:loves sweets but feeds on proteins as well
As the name implies these ants are tiny. Many people dont even know they are ants because they are so small. Invade structures often and will be seen in kitchens and bathrooms trailing or just roaming randomly.
Ants can be difficult to get rid of so it is best left to a professional.
Contact Kyle's Pest Solution @ 623-760-6025 for more information about ant control.
