A rover ant crawls up a plant's stem

Rover Ant

Category:

Actual Size: 1.5 to 2 mm

Characteristics: Worker rover ants are small and vary in color from black to light brown. These ants don’t bite or sting. They have an uneven thorax and a gaster that rounds off to a soft point.

Legs: 6

Antennae: Yes

Wings: Reproductive males and females have wings.

Habitat: These ants build nests near decaying wood, mulch, rock, flower pots, and sometimes inside electrical outlets or behind wall voids. Because they’re attracted to sugar, their nests are often close to insects that feed on plant sap and secrete a sugary liquid called honeydew.

Habits:

  • Rover ants tend to prefer building nests that are out of view, and only travel out when they need food or water.
  • Reproductive-age rover ants are often mistaken for termites, since they’re about the same size.
  • Rover ant colonies are relatively small and range from a few hundred to a few thousand ants.

Rover Ants in Florida

Rover ants can range from 1.5 – 2 mm, and the larger reproductive ones are often mistaken for flying termites. While these pests can be a nuisance, unlike termites, they don’t eat wood. Rover ants are more likely to become a hassle between May and August when the winged individuals participate in a mating flight that allows them to foster new colonies.

Rover Ant Habitat

Rover ants choose to build nests in areas with high moisture levels, or with fungal decay. For a homeowner, this could mean your kitchen, and/or bathrooms. These pests are more likely to head inside during the dry season when moisture is hard to find. Replacing any water-damaged wood in your home can help reduce the risk of infestation.

Rover Ant Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

Rover ants don’t possess a stinger, don’t bite and haven’t been known to be disease vectors, but they are capable of rapid reproduction. So, signs of an infestation should not be ignored. When dealing with a rover ant infestation, it’s best to contact professional ant exterminator.

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