The long and brutal lawn care season is about to begin. Spring is just around the corner, and all it takes is a day or two of rain for a Florida lawn to grow into a jungle. So, I’ve been spending plenty of time outdoors in preparation. Sectioning off and weeding dormant garden beds, fertilizing the works. And you know what I’ve run into every time I go outside? Ants. And you know what those ants like to do? Bite me! That got me thinking, what kind of ants are these even? So today, let’s talk about some of the most common Florida ants, and whether or not they’re pests or just a part of life.
Most Common Florida Ants- Overview
Now, to start off with, not every species of ant you run into is going to be a pest. Yes, that includes some species that bite. But, that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of problem species in this state as well, so don’t worry. We’ll cover them for sure. So, to start, let’s talk about the…
Carpenter Ants!
While not quite the threat posed by termites, any kind of ant that chews holes in your wood is no good. And that’s exactly what this species of ant is known for. This member of the most common Florida ants dig tunnels in wood and weaken it from the inside. In fact, long term infestations can lead to multiple colonies all digging through the wood of a single home. Usually, this will lead to unsightly cosmetic damage, but over time it can damage the structure of your home as well.
You’ll find these ants picking out wood that’s damp or decaying. So if your home has any issues with moisture leaks, either in the foundation or other parts of the home itself, it can be a prime target for a carpenter ant colony. They enter your home through unsealed openings around utility pipes and electrical wires. They’ve also been seen using overhanging tree branches as a bridge to access the inside of your home.
There are some pretty easy telltale signs of carpenter ants in your home. The first, obviously, would be seeing the worker ants out and foraging for food. Carpenter ants are some of the largest ants in the United States, reaching up to thirteen millimeters long. They’re black in coloration usually, with some having reddish or yellowish tints. And the workers themselves have large mandibles for digging.
Also, look out for debris left by their tunneling. Rough wood shavings mixed with dead ants can be a pretty solid indicator of carpenter ant activity. And if a colony is large enough, look out for a “rustling” sound in your walls as the ants go about their days in the wood.
Fire Ants
Okay, now we move on to the real reason for this article. The red imported fire ant. There are few fields in Florida you can walk through without tripping over a pile of these. But, it hasn’t always been that way. These ants are not actually native to North America, despite being on the list of most common Florida ants. They were accidentally brought into the U.S. in the 1930s via a shipment of cargo. They started off in Alabama, but can be found through all the southern states and even as far west as California.
These ants are, unshockingly, omnivores. If they can kill it or move it to their nest, they will eat it. Meats, greasy foods, sweet foods, anything. This includes spiders, ticks, earthworms, arthropods and their eggs, honeydew, and other vegetation in the wild. Dead animals and rotting carrion also make that list. But what’s worse is their nests. They have massive underground colonies that can house up to two hundred and fifty thousand workers. They also create mounds that can be a foot in diameter and nearly that tall. And any animal or person unlucky enough to stumble into one will be viciously attacked.
And when they do attack, fire ants grab onto their prey with strong mandibles. But that’s just for a grip because then they lay into you with their venomous stingers. And until you manage to kill them or brush them off, they will maintain their grip and sting repeatedly. The alkaloid venom is what causes that irritating, burning lesion they leave behind after an attack. And fire ant allergies are not uncommon, which can lead to their swarming nature causing serious injuries and possibly death to those who are allergic.
Rover Ants
And rounding out our list of most common Florida ants is the Rover ant. This is another species of invasive ant that was introduced into the U.S. from other parts of the world. They’ve spread progressively through the country, primarily in southern and coastal states. Though they’re common along the entire Gulf of Mexico now and are known in some cities through the American west.
The most unusual thing about their appearance isn’t easily seen at a glance. Unlike most other ants, they only have nine segments on their antennae vs 12. Their thorax is uneven, with the front having a hump like appearance as well. And the ants of this species vary widely in color, from a pale yellow to blackish brown.
Not being a particularly dangerous species, Rover ants do not consume wood and do not cause structural damage. They’re known to be an especially annoying infestation, however. They readily infest homes, hospitals, and businesses. And when they’re established, they will actively come out to forage and build nests in wall voids. The colonies are small, but they’re very active.
Most Common Florida Ants : What to do when infested?
Any infestation is a bad time, honestly. No one likes to share their space with too many bugs. They’re stressful, affect your sleep, food, and are hard to deal with without the proper tools. The best thing to do is contact a Florida pest control specialist as soon as you’re aware of an infestation, and let them deal with the headache of finding and eliminating your problem.
