There are many different types of fire ants, and they are found throughout the southeastern and southwestern United States. Red imported fire ants live in colonies that first nest in the ground, and then create a mound of dirt over the nest. These mounds can grow up to 18 inches high and over 2 feet wide! Red imported fire ants' nests can be found on lawns, in parks, on playgrounds, in fields, and in pastures. Some red imported fire ants create nests in walls of buildings.
A person who gets stung by a fire ant will feel a sharp pain and burning. Someone who steps on a fire ant mound will get a lot of stings at once because the ants have been disturbed where they all live together. Each sting will turn into an itchy white blister over the next day. If you ever think that you have been stung by a fire ant, tell an adult immediately. Reviewed: August 6, Medically Reviewed. Red Harvester Ant Stings Harvester ants are less common today than they once were. Editorial Sources and Fact-Checking.
October 5, Red Fire Ant. Fire Ant Bites. American Osteopathic College of Dermatology. Fire Ants. National Library of Medicine. July 9, Insect Bites and Stings Reactions. University of Notre Dame. August Red Harvester Ant. Carpenter Ants. These ants are by far the most dangerous type of ants that invade our homes and businesses. They can also target outbuildings and any other wooden belongings stored on our properties or sometimes even inside our homes.
There are several species of carpenter ants within the United States but can be distinguished from other types of ants by their larger size as well as the rounded profile of their thorax and their heart-shaped heads.
In our region of the northeastern United States, black carpenter ants are common invaders and very destructive pests.
In nature, these ants are beneficial as they aid in the decomposition of dead, decaying trees. But when they invade the wood of our homes, businesses, other structures, or personal belongings, they can leave tremendous amounts of destruction in their wake, if they are left untreated.
Homes that contain moist or rotting wood are especially at risk for carpenter ant invasions as this is the type of wood they prefer to create their nests and galleries in. If you accidentally step on an ant and then start to smell a rotten coconut smell, then you probably have odorous house ants in your home. Their bodies are uniform in color either brown or black , have segmented antennae without clubs, an uneven thorax, and a single node between their thorax and abdomen. These little creatures are not known to spread disease and they do not sting or bite but they just stink to have around, quite literally.
When they invade your home in large numbers and create the noxious rotten coconut smell they are known for, they can be a real headache. Add to this the fact that they can contaminate food sources and are difficult to eliminate and you will probably agree that odorous house ants are not a pest you want hanging around your home.
These tiny ants can usually be seen outside during warmer months, nesting in cracks in the pavement, along sidewalks, under foundations, under concrete slabs, and along stone walls. Basically, they can be found living in or near pavement-like materials.
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