Learn More About Ants in Massachusetts and New York

Ants are one of the most commons pests, often appearing in large numbers that can quickly overwhelm homeowners and businesses. Although there are more than 12,000 species around the world and 25 species common in the United States, only a few types of ants are common in Western Massachusetts. 

These pests may be concerning indoors, but they are beneficial in the garden. Many species feed on harmful pests to keep populations in check, and most can bite or sting as a defense when they are threatened. Ants may build colonies in yards, gardens, and wooden structures as well as near building foundations. 

Popular Facts

  • Queen ants have the longest lives of any insects on record, living up to 28 3/4 years in captivity.  
  • Ants are some of the strongest creatures in the world and are capable of carrying items 50 times heavier than their own weight. 
  • Fire ants cause more than $3 billion in damages annually. 
  • The trap jaw ant can move at speeds of 140 miles per hour, making it the fastest animal. 
  • Ants don’t have ears — they “listen” by feeling vibrations with their feet. 

Ants Description 

Ant sizes range from 1/16 to 1 inch, with colors in varying shades of red, brown, and black. Their body shape is easy to distinguish with tapered waists and antennae shaped like elbows. Swarms may emerge in spring, summer, or fall, depending on the ant species.  

Ant Hill Facts 

Ant hills aren’t common among all species. Some just create small craters. The ant hill visible above ground is only the tip of the iceberg compared to the elaborate construction below ground. Worker ants create ant hills as they excavate and tunnel to build the nest. 

Ants vs. Termites 

Swarms of both types of insects can be confused for the other. Some ants have wings and are occasionally confused with winged termites. If you look at the body, termites have more of a rectangular shape and four wings that are all the same size. Termites also have straight antennae. Ants have larger front wings than hind wings. They also narrow at the waist and have crooked antennae. 

Breeding

Ants have a structured hierarchy, with sterile workers that are wingless females. The reproductive ants are winged males and females. 

Colonies begin when fertilized queens head underground or find a safe spot to lay eggs. She watches over the eggs until they are mature enough to work in the colony and care for future broods in addition to finding food for the queen. After mating, the males die. Female ants lose their wings and go on to begin their own colonies. 

Types of Ants 

Ants are among the most common pests in households and businesses. Color and size vary based on the species of ant, but these insects share many similar characteristics. For example, most ants live in colonies. Common kinds of ants include: 

Carpenter Ants 

Carpenter ants have a painful bite and can cause substantial damage as they create elaborate tunnels through wood. They mainly live in moisture-rich, dead, or damaged wood, including trees, wall voids, attics, and crawlspaces. 

Citronella Ants

Citronella ants tend to build nests in areas of high moisture. Worker citronella ants are typically yellow-colored and 4 millimeters in length. If crushed, these pests also have a strong scent that is reminiscent of lemon, which is where the name comes from.

Odorous House Ants 

These ants really stink — literally. Odorous house ants release a rotten blue cheese or coconut odor when they are threatened. They measure 1/16 to 1/8 inch long and have dark brown bodies. 

Sugar Ants 

“Sugar ant” is an umbrella term for ants that feed on sweet foods. They can have a painful bite and are usually 2 1/2 to 18 millimeters long. Coloration varies from orange to black. Some species of sugar ants include household, golden-tailed, and banded sugar ants. 

Pharoah Ants 

Pharaoh ants are tiny, usually about 1/16 inch long. They have yellowish-brown bodies with deep red abdomens and are known for being difficult to control. They thrive in warmth and humidity and have stingers but are mostly harmless. 

Pavement Ants 

This invasive species of sugar ants can sting and bite when their colonies are disturbed. They are usually dark brown or black with parallel lines that run down their heads and backs. They measure 3/16 inch long. 

Bighead Ants 

These ants have workers in two sizes. Major workers have large heads, while minor workers are smaller in size. These ants are common in warmer regions and may be yellow, brown, black, or red and typically measure 1/16 to 1/8 inch. 

Identification 

  • Class: Insecta 
  • Family: Formicidae 
  • Size: Workers average 1/20 inch to 1/2 inch long 
  • Color: Usually brown to black; some ants are yellow, red, or black and red 
  • Legs: 6 

Benefits of Professional Ant Control in New York and Massachusetts

Where there’s one ant, there could very well be hundreds or thousands, all living in huge colonies they have established in or around your home or business. Once ants find a food source, they continue returning to it, making long-term ant control challenging. 

The professionals at USX Pest have the expertise and education needed to identify where ants establish colonies, how and why they enter the building, and the best strategies to remove them permanently. We strategically place gel and granular baits that essentially transform ants into their own colony’s pest control.  

USX Pest can also offer ongoing maintenance for year-round protection. Technicians visit bi-monthly to eliminate infestations or apply preventive treatments and other services to keep your property pest-free for the long-term.  

Schedule a Free Inspection of Your Residential or Commercial Property 

Ants will feed on anything they can find, and they leave destruction and sometimes painful bites and stings in their wake. Contact USX Pest today for professional ant control you can count on. If you need immediate help, feel free to call us at 855-761-1550 .