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.
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.
john jones
08 Sep 2010, 09:25
i have black ants in the field and they eat the leaves of the peas and cut
the stalk off at ground level help please.
Ask the Exterminator
08 Sep 2010, 11:11
You need to determine the species of the ants by getting them identified.
Once you know what species they are you will quickly learn where they nest
and how to control them.
Keith
31 May 2011, 11:01
I noticed at the edge of my property where the wetlands begin,the ground
has numorous holesand carpenter ants are all over. They are also destroying
a large oak tree. Can I use a product from Home depot or loews and what
would you recommend
Ask the Exterminator
31 May 2011, 11:04
The carpenter ants only eat dead and decaying wood, which means the tree
was already dying when discovered by the carpenter ants. You can kill the
ants with any product, but I'd leave them do their work. Eventually, they
will decompose the root system which will help fertilize the soil.
Keith
31 May 2011, 11:13
I noticed at the edge of my property where the woods and wetlands begin,the
ground has numorous holes and large black ants are all over. The span of
the infestation is around 15 feet. I sprayed the area and the ants became
very aggressive and were biting. What do you recommend for this area of
such size
Ask the Exterminator
31 May 2011, 11:43
Don't spray. Use Maxforce Complete granular bait around the mound. You can
see the product at
http://shop.asktheexterminator.com/ants/maxforce-complete-granular-insect-b
ait.html.
Monie
06 Nov 2011, 11:34
I have a couple large mounds of field ants on my property which I was told
to leave them as they help keep other insect populations down. Recently I
have been having scorpions in my house and was told they feed on ants. Are
the scorpions here because of the ants. Do I need to treat for ants first.
Ask the Exterminator
07 Nov 2011, 04:36
The scorpions are following their food source. Get rid of the insects and
the scorpions will have no reason to enter your home.
