The 9 Most Common Types of Ants in Texas
Ants are one of the most prevalent pests in Texas, known for their persistence and ability to invade homes, yards, and gardens. With the state's diverse geography, Texas hosts a variety of ant species, each with its own habits, appearance, and challenges for homeowners. Whether you're dealing with painful fire ants in your lawn or pesky odorous house ants in your kitchen, knowing how to identify and manage these ants is crucial. Our guide will provide you with an in-depth look at the most common ant species in Texas, so you can take the right steps to keep your home ant-free.
The most common species of ants in Texas include:
1. Common House Ants (Tapinoma melanocephalum) (Ghost Ant)
Common house ants are small, dark brown to black ants, measuring about 1/8 inch in length. They are often found foraging in kitchens, bathrooms, and living spaces. While they are not aggressive and do not sting, they can become a nuisance when they invade food storage areas and cause unsightly trails around your home.
These ants can nest in a variety of locations both inside and outside the home, such as cracks in walls, under floors, and near food sources. They are common in suburban and urban areas throughout Texas.
How To Get Rid of Common House Ants
Clean up food crumbs, store food in sealed containers, and seal cracks in doors and windows to prevent entry. Baiting can be an effective control method, and if the problem persists, professional treatments may be necessary.
2. Odorous House Ants (Tapinoma sessile)
Odorous house ants are small, ranging from 1/8 inch in length, and are brown to black in color. These ants are notorious for their strong, unpleasant odor when crushed, which is often described as smelling like rotten coconuts. They are primarily a nuisance inside homes, where they are attracted to sugary foods and are commonly found in kitchens, bathrooms, and pantries. While they don’t bite or sting, their presence can be bothersome, especially during the summer months.
Odorous house ants are highly adaptable and can nest in a variety of locations, including under floors, in wall cavities, and behind baseboards. Outside, they typically nest in soil and under debris. In Texas, they are found throughout the state, especially in warmer, humid regions.
How To Get Rid of Odorous House Ants
Clean up food sources immediately and seal entry points around your home. Baiting and using sticky traps can help control odorous house ants. If necessary, professional pest control services can provide targeted treatments to eliminate the colony.
3. Fire Ants (Solenopsis invicta)
Fire ants are arguably the most infamous ant species in Texas. These ants are reddish-brown in color, measuring around 1/8 to 1/4 inch in length. They are most recognized by their aggressive behavior and painful sting, which can cause a burning sensation (hence the name "fire" ants). Fire ants form large colonies, often creating visible mounds in lawns and pastures. When disturbed, fire ants swarm and sting in unison, making them particularly dangerous to pets, children, and anyone allergic to insect stings.
Fire ants prefer sunny, open areas like lawns, parks, golf courses, and gardens. They thrive in Texas’ warm climate and are especially active during spring and summer months. Mounds can appear in various locations, often near water sources, on hillsides, or around the edges of sidewalks and driveways.
How To Get Rid of Fire Ants
The best way to deal with fire ants is through a combination of bait and mound treatment. Granular bait, which workers carry back to the queen, can help reduce the colony’s population. Additionally, mound treatments, like liquid drenches or mound-top insecticide, can eliminate fire ant nests. It’s essential to target the colony early to prevent them from spreading. For severe infestations, consider contacting a professional pest control service for long-term management.
4. Pavement Ants (Tetramorium caespitum)
Pavement ants are small, dark brown to black ants, about 1/8 inch long. These ants get their name from nesting in cracks in pavement, sidewalks, and driveways. They are often seen foraging for food and may invade homes in search of sugary substances or grease. Pavement ants are not aggressive but can be a nuisance when they enter homes through cracks in the foundation, gaps in windows, or around door frames.
Outside, pavement ants build their nests in cracks in pavement, under stones, or along the edges of driveways and walkways. Indoors, they can be found in wall voids, kitchens, and pantries. These ants are common in both urban and suburban areas of Texas, especially around sidewalks, parking lots, and near food sources.
How To Get Rid of Pavement Ants
To manage pavement ants, seal cracks in your foundation, windows, and doors. Ant bait can be effective in attracting and eliminating these ants. If the infestation is large, a pest control professional may be able to treat the nest more effectively.
5. Argentine Ants (Linepithema humile)
Argentine ants are small, ranging from 1/16 to 1/8 inch in length, and are typically dark brown to black. These ants are known for their ability to form massive supercolonies that can spread across wide areas. Unlike fire ants, Argentine ants do not sting but can still become a nuisance when they invade homes in search of food. They are particularly attracted to sweet substances and are often found in kitchens and bathrooms. Their trails are long, and they tend to cluster around food sources, creating dense colonies indoors.
Argentine ants are commonly found in urban areas where they can easily invade homes. They prefer warm, moist environments and often nest in areas like walls, attics, under floors, and around plumbing. In Texas, they are especially prevalent in the southern and eastern parts of the state, including areas with humid conditions.
How To Get Rid of Argentine Ants
To prevent Argentine ants, clean up food spills immediately and store food in airtight containers. Seal cracks and gaps in windows, doors, and around pipes to prevent entry. Bait stations with sweetened insecticides can attract and kill the colony, while professional treatments may be necessary for larger infestations.
6. Carpenter Ants (Camponotus spp.)
Carpenter ants are large ants, measuring 1/4 to 1/2 inch in length, and are typically black or reddish-black in color. Unlike termites, carpenter ants do not eat wood but tunnel through it to create their nests. Over time, this tunneling can cause significant structural damage to homes, especially in areas with high moisture levels. Carpenter ants prefer to nest in damp, decaying wood, which makes them a concern for homes with leaks or water damage.
Carpenter ants are found both indoors and outdoors. Inside, they often nest in wooden structures, particularly in areas with moisture problems, such as basements, attics, and behind walls. Outdoors, carpenter ants can nest in tree stumps, logs, and wooden decks. They are more active during the spring and summer months and are commonly found in wooded areas across Texas.
How To Get Rid of Carpenter Ants
If you suspect a carpenter ant infestation, look for piles of sawdust-like debris (frass) around wood structures. To control carpenter ants, eliminate their food sources, fix any moisture problems in your home, and seal entry points. In severe cases, professional pest control is recommended to locate and treat hidden nests.
7. Pharaoh Ants (Monomorium pharaonis)
Pharaoh ants are very small, measuring around 1/16 inch long, and are light yellow to reddish-brown in color. These ants are one of the most troublesome indoor pests, as they often nest in hidden spaces like walls, attics, and under floors. They can spread diseases in food handling areas and are commonly found in hospitals and other healthcare facilities. While they do not sting, their sheer numbers can make them a persistent problem.
Pharaoh ants prefer warm environments and are typically found inside homes, especially in kitchens, bathrooms, and pantries. Outside, they are less common but may nest in areas with high moisture. In Texas, they are most prevalent in urban environments and commercial buildings.
How To Get Rid of Pharaoh Ants
Because pharaoh ants can split their colonies and form new nests, managing them can be challenging. The best approach is to use ant bait, which workers carry back to the colony, and to contact a professional pest control service for ongoing management.
8. Texas Leaf Cutter Ants (Atta texana)
Texas leaf cutter ants are large, reddish-brown ants, often reaching sizes of 1/4 inch or more. They are well-known for their impressive ability to cut leaves and other vegetation, which they use to cultivate a specific type of fungus. These ants are destructive to landscaping and can severely damage crops or ornamental plants. They build large nests, which can contain thousands of workers, and the nests are often marked by piles of cut plant material.
Leaf cutter ants prefer open, sunny areas and can often be found in gardens, lawns, and wooded areas. Their nests are typically located in the ground and may have multiple entry points. In Texas, they are commonly found in rural and suburban areas, especially in the southern and central parts of the state.
How To Get Rid of Texas Leaf Cutter Ants
Controlling leaf-cutter ants is difficult due to the large size of their colonies and their ability to spread quickly. Professional pest control services can help manage these ants with specialized treatments, including insecticidal baits and targeted sprays to disrupt their foraging behavior.
9. Crazy Ants (Nylanderia fulva)
Crazy ants are small, measuring around 1/8 inch in length, and are typically dark brown or black with a slightly reddish hue. These ants get their name from their erratic, "crazy" movements, which can make them difficult to track as they scurry about. Unlike other ants, crazy ants do not follow a straight line when foraging, and their unpredictable behavior often confuses homeowners. They are notorious for infesting electrical equipment and causing damage to appliances and wiring. While they do not sting, their large colonies can become a major nuisance in homes and commercial buildings.
Crazy ants are most commonly found in warm, humid environments. In Texas, they are prevalent in both suburban and urban areas, particularly in the eastern and southern parts of the state. They are often found nesting in wall voids, under floors, around electrical appliances, and in crawl spaces. Their nests can also be found in soil, mulch, and leaf litter outside. Crazy ants are especially problematic in areas with dense vegetation, as they can spread quickly through gardens, lawns, and fields.
How To Get Rid of Crazy Ants
Managing crazy ants requires persistence, as these ants can form massive colonies. To control them, focus on eliminating food sources, sealing entry points, and reducing moisture levels in your home. Using ant bait that targets the colony can help reduce their numbers. In some cases, professional pest control services may be necessary to treat the nest and prevent future infestations, especially in electrical areas where crazy ants can cause damage to wiring or appliances.
Effective Ant Control Strategies
Identifying the type of ant infestation you have is the first step in controlling them effectively. While some ants are relatively harmless, others can cause significant damage to your property or pose health risks. Regardless of the species, effective ant control in Texas requires a combination of sanitation, exclusion, and targeted treatments. Regular inspections and proactive measures, such as sealing entry points and eliminating food sources, will help reduce the likelihood of an infestation. For larger or persistent ant problems, it is advisable to consult with your local pest control service at Justice Pest Services to ensure the problem is addressed properly. If you’re local to Central Texas, contact our exterminators today to schedule your pest consultation.