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Field Ants

Summary: Field ant identification can be tricky, but proper identification is necessary to achieve fast and effective control. When trying to identify field ant be sure to take everything into consideration. In this instance, the field ant mound description was the "give away".

A reader asks: I have found four carpenter ant mounds. Please tell me the safest way to get rid them.

Dear Reader: The ants you are describing are probably field ants. This ant closely resembles the carpenter ant in size, color and in many of their characteristics. The field ant, Formica subsericea, is often mistaken for a carpenter ant. In fact, many “carpenter ant” jobs have inadvertently been sold to homeowners by pest control firms that confuse these two look-alikes.

Both ant species have a one-segmented waist and a circular ring of hairs on the end of the abdomen. Here's the main key to proper identification. Carpenter ants have an evenly rounded thorax — the body

segment just after the head, while the black field ant has a thorax that appears ridged or uneven in profile.

Field ants commonly form large, low-profile earthen mounds in the yard. Unlike carpenter ants, the black field ants do not establish nests inside buildings, although they may occasionally wander indoors in search of food.

Field ants are usually noticed during their swarming flights in the fall of the year. Large numbers of these yellowish-brown, winged ants emerge from underground colonies and crawl on the ground, trees, shrubs or buildings near their nesting site entrance before flying off to attempt to establish new colonies.

A bait like Combat Outdoor Ant Killing Granules, sprinkled around the mound can control the ant colony without affecting anything else. A non-pesticide mound drench like Kleen Kill can also be used.

Comments

Vicki
25 Mar 2009, 17:30

We have seen mounds of ants in the woods behind our house. They have been moving closer to the house and are near the back yard. How can I kill the mounds to prevent infestation of the yard? They have a mean bite.

Ask the Exterminator
29 Mar 2009, 15:39

Vicki:

This article lists the products you can use in the last paragraph.

Field ants can pinch the skin. Be sure your ants are not Fire ants. If they are there are many types of Fire ant baits that are effective.

Jeff Hester
27 Aug 2009, 12:35

I have a major field ant infestation in my field and I have been unable to find Combat Outside Ant Killing Granules. Can you suggest any other ant baits that would be effective?

George
01 Sep 2009, 20:55

We have very small ant looking like insects with wings and that seem to be dying and can barely fly we have not use anything on them yet,but they seem to be everywere it looks like the body of a very small ant when they do fly is very shortly and in very small circles. what are they and how do we get rid of them.

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Field Ants

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