shutterstock 205400836Description:

A soil-nesting ant, is sometimes confused with subterranean termites because it may create debris-covered foraging tubes that are somewhat similar, albeit much more fragile, than termite tubes. More often these ants leave piles of loose sandy soil. Homeowners are annoyed by these dirt piles and by ants foraging in bathrooms, kitchens, around doors, and windows, as well as on exterior paved or brick walkways or driveways.

 

Appearance:

Small workers are around 1/16-inch to 1/8-inch (1.5 to 3 mm) yellowish or light to dark brown. The workers are different sizes and some have a very large head in proportion to their body.

 

Lifecycle:

Colonies can have large numbers of fertile queens and year-round brood production in tropical and sub-tropical areas. In some areas, colonies can form a virtually continuous super colony that excludes most other ant species. Fertilized queens shed their wings and find a nest site where they will begin laying eggs.

 

Habits:

They live in small colonies and build nests in open, well-shaded areas, seldom under items such as logs or stone. You may find nests in soil under shrubs and landscaping beds. The nest consists of numerous small galleries dug in the soil and excavated soil particles are deposited in a crater-shaped mound. Ants forage in easily detected trails. This ant prefers sweets and tends aphids for the honeydew that is produced, but may forage on sweets in the kitchen.

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