4 Most Common Florida Ants

Carpenter ants are a common ant in Florida - Florida Pest Control

If you live in Florida, you know ants are common visitors inside our homes. Even in the cleanest house, it’s not unusual to find a trail of these little six-legged creatures making their way along the floor, across a countertop, or up a wall. Outside, ants are even more prevalent. You can’t take more than a couple of steps in most yards without stepping over an ant pile.

Our state is home to nearly 20 different kinds of ants. At Florida Pest Control, we are dedicated to keeping you safe from each and every one! Our experts are here to share the most common ants you might see in or near your home year-round.

Carpenter Ant in Gainesville FL | florida pest control

1. Florida Carpenter Ants

Florida carpenter ants are fairly large by ant standards, up to 11mm (about .5”) long. Their orange and black bodies make them pretty easy to identify. Florida carpenter ants are just as comfortable building nests outdoors in decayed wood, trees, and shrubs as they are indoors in attics, ceilings, floors, and other secluded areas. They primarily forage for food at night and eat insect honeydew, plant juices, insects, or any kind of sweets they can find. They are known to bite when threatened.

Fire ant in Gainesville FL | florida pest control2. Red Imported Fire Ants

 

Red imported fire ants are more aggressive than most ant species and will gladly sting you if you mistakenly walk too near their mounds. They grab ahold of their prey (or sometimes your ankles) by biting and then sting using their abdomens to inject toxins. The location of the bite may be sore and/or itch for several days. For people who are hypersensitive, there can be even greater risks. While red imported fire ants feed mostly on young plants, they can attack and kill small animals. These ants have blackish to reddish bodies with copper-colored heads. Red imported fire ants prefer to nest under logs or rocks but often make dome-shaped mounds in fields or yards.

Bighead Ant in Gainesville FL | florida pest control3. Bigheaded Ants

Mounds of sand collecting along the edges of your driveway or between cracks in the sidewalk? It could be bigheaded ants. These ants love to cover their foraging trails with dirt and debris, so sometimes they are confused with subterranean termites which also create mud tubes as they forage. Inside the home, the dirt piles made by the bigheaded ant can be a nuisance. As their name implies, some of these ants have big heads compared to other members of their colony. They are referred to as major workers or soldiers, whereas the members with smaller heads are called minor workers. Bigheaded ants are omnivorous and will feed on sweets, other insects, and soil invertebrates.

Rover Ant in Gainesville FL | florida pest control4. Rover Ants

Rover ants are one of the smallest pest ants you may encounter. They only grow up to 1.5-2 mm (1/16-1/12”) long and are dark brown or black in color. They usually nest in mulch or under debris lying on the ground and, like many ant species, feed on the honeydew produced by sap-sucking insects. In the home, these ants are attracted to areas with moisture such as bathrooms or kitchens. They can also become a nuisance outside when large numbers of the winged swarmers end up accidentally in swimming pools.

Need Help Identifying Ants Near Your Home?

Ants are a fact of life in Florida, but you don’t have to let them take over your home or yard. The ant control experts at Florida Pest Control can help not just identify what type of ant you have but also apply treatment to get rid of them for good. Contact us today to get started!

Fire Ants in Florida: What You Need to Know

Fire Ants: Florida’s Red Menace

Fire ants, often called “red imported fire ants” originate from Brazil and it is believed they were introduced to the United States around 1940 via shipping containers. Because these pests can pose a serious threat, it’s important to know how to recognize them as well as how to stay safe from their painful stings. Learn more with the ant control experts right here at Florida Pest Control!

Are There Fire Ants in Florida?

Yes, there are fire ants in Florida. Fire ants’ range stretches across most of the southeastern United States.

Are Fire Ants Dangerous?

These small, yet powerful, insects bite and sting approximately 14 million people each year. For most people, fire ant bites are not a big deal. They will hurt but you are unlikely to need medical attention. However, for those hypersensitive to bug stings, the venom from these ants can be life-threatening. Additionally, getting large numbers of bites can be highly dangerous to people. If you’re ever attacked by fire ants and start feeling tightness in your chest, difficulty breathing, or onset of an allergic reaction, seek immediate medical care.

What Do Fire Ants Look Like?

Fire ants measure from 1/8 – ¼” and are a dull red color. Fire ants are most known for their stinger, which in accordance with their aggressive nature, can lead to bad encounters. Fire ants are best recognized by two bumps that they have between the abdomen and thorax.

The easiest way to identify fire ants is through their mounds. These mounds range in size—some are small bumps, others can be up to 18 inches high. If you run into a fire ant mound, it won’t feature an opening on the top like other ant mounds. A mound that is about 7 inches high can house over 200,000 ants, which is precisely why these ants pose such a huge threat.

Fire ant infographic in Florida - Florida Pest Control

5 Facts About Fire Ants

Fire ants differ from your typical house ant in a number of ways. The most important things to know about these potentially dangerous pests include:

  • If a fire ant mound is disturbed, they will attack as one unit. When disturbed, the ants will begin spilling out ready to attack—and each ant will sting repeatedly.
  • To begin a fire ant colony, queen fire ants mate with males, killing the male in the process, and fly to the site at which she’ll begin the new colony. The queen will lay up to 800 eggs per day, growing the colony to an average size of 100,000 to 500,000 ants.
  • Fire ants don’t bite—they sting! Their stings can result in a burning sensation, hence their name. The sting site may swell and itch. A small pustule sometimes develops where the stinger enters the skin.
  • If fire ants get on you, it’s important to quickly and repeatedly brush them off your skin. The ants can latch on tight, meaning shaking won’t repel them. If you develop symptoms from fire ants, it’s important to seek medical attention.
  • Fire ants typically nest outdoors in open areas. Parks and fields are usually primary targets, but yards can be as well. The mounds are often found lining your grass and concrete, and they typically form on humid days.

Fire Ant Control in Florida

Trying to get rid of a fire ant mound yourself is dangerous. Their colonies extend far under the ground and feature multiple queens. If you have noticed a fire ant mound grow in your yard, the safest and most effective solution is contacting your local ant control experts to get rid of them.