Field Ants

Pest Description

• black or reddish brown and black
• one node (bump between middle and rear body sections)
• most common ant found in yards and gardens
• often mistaken for carpenter ants, but not as likely to forage indoors
• worker ants of multiple sizes
• depression in thorax differentiates them from carpenter ants

Host Plants, Diet & Damage

• feed on a variety of foods such as honeydew, sweets and insects
• can be scavengers or predators
• become a nuisance during swarming flights
• nest outdoors in loose soil, turf, decaying wood or other landscaped areas
• may produce mounds (sometimes incorporating twigs, dried leaves and other plant materials) in exposed areas, in turfgrass or nest under rocks, logs, etc.
• can swarm and bite humans if a mound is stepped on

Biology, Life Cycle & Damaging Life Stage

• typically one queen per colony
• do not frequently come indoors
• adult worker ants are the damaging life stage

IPM Recommendations

• Locate and destroy nests in lawn and adjacent areas using liquid, granular or bait-formulated pesticides.
• Control soft scale, mealybug or aphid populations on nearby ornamental plants.
• Seal or eliminate potential ant entryways into homes or structures.