Nuisance Ants
Field Ant
Field Ant
Formica is a genus of ants of the family Formicidae, commonly known as wood ants,
mound ants, thatching ants, and field ants. Formica is the type genus of the Formicidae, and of the subfamily Formicinae. The type species of genus Formica is the European red wood ant Formica rufa. Some people are finding field ants nesting in their lawns. Field ants are about 1/4 inch long and black (some species are red and black). Their nests are slightly raised and mound-like and can cover a fairly large area in the ground, up to two feet in diameter. It is not uncommon for people to confuse field ants with carpenter ants. Although these two ants are somewhat similar in size and color, carpenter ants do not nest in the soil. The prefer to nest in cavities in rotting wood or in voids found in buildings. Field ants are most active during the day while carpenter ants are most active at dusk, dawn, and during the night. Because of the mounds created by field ants, some people assume these ants are fire ants. Fire ants are about 1/8th inch long or a little larger. They only occur in the southeastern area of the U.S.; the closest fire ants to Minnesota are in southern Tennessee. Minnesota winters are too cold for fire ants to survive.
Formica is a genus of ants of the family Formicidae, commonly known as wood ants,
mound ants, thatching ants, and field ants. Formica is the type genus of the Formicidae, and of the subfamily Formicinae. The type species of genus Formica is the European red wood ant Formica rufa. Some people are finding field ants nesting in their lawns. Field ants are about 1/4 inch long and black (some species are red and black). Their nests are slightly raised and mound-like and can cover a fairly large area in the ground, up to two feet in diameter. It is not uncommon for people to confuse field ants with carpenter ants. Although these two ants are somewhat similar in size and color, carpenter ants do not nest in the soil. The prefer to nest in cavities in rotting wood or in voids found in buildings. Field ants are most active during the day while carpenter ants are most active at dusk, dawn, and during the night. Because of the mounds created by field ants, some people assume these ants are fire ants. Fire ants are about 1/8th inch long or a little larger. They only occur in the southeastern area of the U.S.; the closest fire ants to Minnesota are in southern Tennessee. Minnesota winters are too cold for fire ants to survive.
Odorous House Ant
Odorous House Ant
Tapinoma sessile is a species of ant that goes by the common names odorous
house ant, stink ant, and coconut ant. Their colonies are polydomous (consist of multiple nests) and have a characteristic dominance hierarchy system. Like many social insects, T. sessile employs complex foraging strategies, allocates food depending on environmental conditions, and engages in competition with several other insect species.These are both indoor and outdoor ants. They eat honeydew, which is made by aphids and scale insects, and other sugarfoods. Due to the vast variety of food they eat and their commonality, they are a common household ant.
Tapinoma sessile is a species of ant that goes by the common names odorous
house ant, stink ant, and coconut ant. Their colonies are polydomous (consist of multiple nests) and have a characteristic dominance hierarchy system. Like many social insects, T. sessile employs complex foraging strategies, allocates food depending on environmental conditions, and engages in competition with several other insect species.These are both indoor and outdoor ants. They eat honeydew, which is made by aphids and scale insects, and other sugarfoods. Due to the vast variety of food they eat and their commonality, they are a common household ant.
Pavement Ant
Pavement Ants
The pavement ant, Tetramorium caespitum, is a common household pest. Its name comes from the fact that colonies usually make their homes in pavement. It is distinguished by one pair of spines on the back, two nodes on the petiole, and grooves on the head and thorax. The species is native to Europe, but was introduced to North America in the 18th century. During early spring, colonies attempt to conquer new areas and often attack nearby enemy colonies. These result in huge sidewalk battles, sometimes leaving thousands of ants dead. Because of their aggressive nature, they often invade and colonize seemingly impenetrable areas. In summer time the ants dig out the sand in between the pavements to vent the nests.
The pavement ant, Tetramorium caespitum, is a common household pest. Its name comes from the fact that colonies usually make their homes in pavement. It is distinguished by one pair of spines on the back, two nodes on the petiole, and grooves on the head and thorax. The species is native to Europe, but was introduced to North America in the 18th century. During early spring, colonies attempt to conquer new areas and often attack nearby enemy colonies. These result in huge sidewalk battles, sometimes leaving thousands of ants dead. Because of their aggressive nature, they often invade and colonize seemingly impenetrable areas. In summer time the ants dig out the sand in between the pavements to vent the nests.
Pharoah Ant
Pharoah Ant
The Pharaoh Ant (Monomorium pharaonis) is a small (2 mm) yellow or light brown, almost transparent ant notorious for being a major indoor nuisance pest, especially in hospitals. This species is polygynous, meaning each colony contains many queens, leading to unique caste interactions and colony dynamics. This also allows the colony to fragment into bud colonies quickly. Colonies do not display aggression toward each other; this is known as unicoloniality. Monomorium pharaonis is also notable for its complex foraging system, involving intricate trail routes maintained with several pheromones. It was the first ant species discovered to use a negative (repellant) pheromone. These chemicals are integral for communication in this species. Pharaoh ants are a tropical species, but they thrive in buildings almost anywhere, even in temperate regions provided central heating is present.
The Pharaoh Ant (Monomorium pharaonis) is a small (2 mm) yellow or light brown, almost transparent ant notorious for being a major indoor nuisance pest, especially in hospitals. This species is polygynous, meaning each colony contains many queens, leading to unique caste interactions and colony dynamics. This also allows the colony to fragment into bud colonies quickly. Colonies do not display aggression toward each other; this is known as unicoloniality. Monomorium pharaonis is also notable for its complex foraging system, involving intricate trail routes maintained with several pheromones. It was the first ant species discovered to use a negative (repellant) pheromone. These chemicals are integral for communication in this species. Pharaoh ants are a tropical species, but they thrive in buildings almost anywhere, even in temperate regions provided central heating is present.
Thief Ant
Thief Ant
thief ants, get their names from their habit of nesting close to other ant nests, from which they steal food. They are also called grease ants because they are attracted to grease. Thief ants range anywhere from 1/32 of an inch (0.5 mm) to 1/8 of an inch (3 mm) long. They can be yellowish or brownish tones of color. These ants have a two-segmented petiole connecting their abdomen to the thorax. They have 10 segments in their antennae, which end in large segmented clubs. Thief ants have small stingers on their oblong abdomen, and generally have small eyes. Worker ants have large jaws for carrying food back to the colony.
thief ants, get their names from their habit of nesting close to other ant nests, from which they steal food. They are also called grease ants because they are attracted to grease. Thief ants range anywhere from 1/32 of an inch (0.5 mm) to 1/8 of an inch (3 mm) long. They can be yellowish or brownish tones of color. These ants have a two-segmented petiole connecting their abdomen to the thorax. They have 10 segments in their antennae, which end in large segmented clubs. Thief ants have small stingers on their oblong abdomen, and generally have small eyes. Worker ants have large jaws for carrying food back to the colony.
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