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Size: |
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Workers are about 1/4-1/2 inch (4.7-11.5 mm) long. |
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Color: |
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Orange to reddish to dark brown or brownish black; some species with two colors. |
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Where Found: |
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West of the Mississippi River in the United States; except for the Florida Harvester Ant, which is found in the eastern U.S. and south into Mexico. |
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Habitat: |
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Build medium to large-sized mounds, 1-4 feet across and 2-10 inches high. They remove all plants around mound, probably to prevent it from becoming shaded. In fields, Red Harvester Ants make a circular, bare area up to 35 feet across. Western Harvester Ants sometimes cover mounds with little pebbles, charcoal, or dead leaves to keep nests warm. Most species move nests from time to time if they have been fighting with other ants or if mound becomes shaded by a tall plant. |
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Food: |
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This ant species feeds on a diet of various seeds and insects. They stay in their nest during the hottest part of the day. Species display differant foraging habits. California Harvester Ants leave the nest one-by-one and travel immediatly in differant directions in search of food. Red Harvester Ants leave along the same trail which is marked by pheremones,then go forth individually from there. |
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Biology: |
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Some species are warlike, and almost always fight when they run into even their own species from other colonies. Other species do not fight. Swarming occurs during summer from June to October. There are both male and female swarmers. Mating occurs outside the nest, after which the females fly off to start new colonies and males die. |
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Damage: |
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Remove growing plants from around nests, which cause large bare spots in lawns and fields. May kill animals that disturb their nests. Have a painful sting, which may be a problem for people with allergies. Some species have a barbed stinger, like that of a bee, that separates from their bodies when used. |
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Invasion: |
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Do not invade structures. Commonly build nests in yards, stripping the vegetation. |
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Control: |
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Concentrate inspection and control efforts on the exterior as this ant species does not invade structures. Look for bare areas and mounds associated with an infestation. Baits that are made with insect growth regulators work well. High pressure liquid applications may be necessary to control this species if they have established themselves for a long period of time. Treat areas during the hottest part of the day as most of the ants will be in the nest. Contacting the insects with the material is essential to control. When using any pesticide, be sure it is registered for the target pest/location. Read the entire label prior to use. Follow all label directions, restrictions, and precautions. |
