Ant Facts & Identification Guide | Types, Behavior, Signs

Ants are among the most successful and adaptable insects on the planet. With more than 12,000 described species and millions of colonies globally, their structured societies and resourcefulness allow them to thrive in nearly every environment.

This guide provides verified and research-backed insights into ant identification, types, habits, diet, nesting, and warning signs of infestation in homes and structures.

I. IDENTIFY – What Do Ants Look Like?

Ants belong to the family Formicidae. They are easily recognized by:

Segmented bodies (head, thorax, abdomen)
Elbowed antennae
Pinched waist (petiole)

Six legs and strong mandibles
Colors: Black, red, brown, or yellow depending on species
Size: Ranges from 1.5 mm (Pharaoh ant) to 13 mm (Carpenter ant)

🧬 Learn more from UC Integrated Pest Management (UC IPM): Ant Identification – UCANR

II. COMMON TYPES OF ANT

Ants That Bite or Sting:

Fire Ants (Solenopsis invicta) – Deliver painful stings and build dome-shaped mounds.
Carpenter Ants (Camponotus spp.) – Tunnel through damp or damaged wood, weakening structures.

Harvester Ants – Create large outdoor nests; both bite and sting.
Bullet Ants (Paraponera clavata) – Known for one of the most painful insect stings (mostly tropical, not common in North America).

Ants That Don’t Bite or Sting:

Odorous House Ants (Tapinoma sessile) – Give off a rotten coconut odor when crushed.

Argentine Ants (Linepithema humile) – Form supercolonies with multiple queens.
Pharaoh Ants (Monomorium pharaonis) – Thrive in indoor environments like hospitals.
Crazy Ants (Paratrechina longicornis) – Move rapidly in erratic patterns; often infest electronics.

📚 Entomology Overview: National Pest Management Association: Ants

III. SIGNS OF AN ANT INFESTATION

Recognizing these signs early can help prevent severe infestations:

1. Ant Trails

Scout ants leave pheromone trails to food or water, leading others in clearly visible lines along floors, walls, or countertops.

2. Swarmer (Winged) Ants Indoors

Indicates that ants are reproducing within your structure. Winged ants often appear near windows or lights.

3. Sawdust or Frass

Carpenter ants expel wood shavings when tunneling into structures, usually found near damaged wood or behind baseboards.

4. Moisture Activity

Ants are attracted to water. Seeing them near sinks, bathtubs, or water-damaged areas often suggests hidden nesting.

5. Rustling Noises in Walls

Heavy infestations may cause subtle scratching or clicking noises as ants move through wall voids or insulation.

6. Dead Ants Accumulating

If you find groups of dead ants near entry points or window sills, it’s a clue that they’re nesting nearby or attempting to move through your structure.

More from University of Florida Entomology: Common Ant Species and Their Behavior (PDF)

IV. ANT BEHAVIOR & HABITS

Ants live in eusocial colonies, meaning they divide labor among castes and work cooperatively. Common behaviors include:

Foraging: Workers seek food sources and signal others with pheromones.
Nesting: Depending on species, nests may be located in soil, rotting wood, walls, insulation, or appliances.

Colony Expansion: Species like Argentine ants create satellite colonies with multiple queens.
Defense: Some ants bite or sting to protect the colony, while others produce chemical sprays.

WHAT DO ANTS EAT?

Ants are omnivorous and highly adaptable. Their diet includes:

Sugars – Honeydew (produced by aphids), fruit, syrups, candies.
Proteins – Insects, meats, eggs, pet food.
Grease/Oils – Some species are particularly drawn to fatty substances.

Water – A vital resource for survival and nest cooling.

Different species prefer different macronutrients depending on their colony’s developmental stage.

ANT LIFESPAN & REPRODUCTION

Queens – Can live up to 15 years and lay thousands of eggs.

Workers – Live from a few weeks to a few months.
Males – Live only long enough to mate during swarming.

Colonies begin with a nuptial flight, where winged males and females mate. Fertilized queens establish new colonies and begin laying eggs.

📘 Read more from Purdue University:
Ant Reproduction and Colony Development

WHERE DO ANTS LIVE?

Ant nesting locations vary by species:

Soil – Common for pavement, fire, and harvester ants.

Wood – Carpenter ants prefer decayed or damp wood.
Interior spaces – Pharaoh and crazy ants often infest kitchens, walls, and electronics.
Under stones, foundations, patios, and inside pipes or insulation.

Nests may be shallow or deeply integrated into structural voids.

Quick Ant Facts Table

Attribute	Details
Scientific Family	Formicidae
Color	Black, brown, red, or yellow
Size	1.5 mm – 13 mm
Diet	Sugars, proteins, fats, water
Habitat	Soil, wood, walls, insulation, appliances
Lifespan	Workers: Weeks–Months; Queens: Up to 15 years
Reproduction	Nuptial flight → Queen lays thousands of eggs per year
Behavior	Eusocial; foraging, trail-laying, and colony defense

Final Thoughts

Ants are complex, highly organized insects capable of building vast colonies and outsmarting basic pest control tactics. Understanding their behavior, biology, and signs of infestation is the first step toward safe and informed pest management—whether you’re a homeowner, student, or pest control professional.

For professional treatment strategies or immediate help with infestations, contact us for expert Ant Control.