Collectively, ants (Formicidae: Hymenoptera) are considered to be beneficial in our environment. As a group, they till more earth than earthworms, thereby reducing compaction. Many, like imported fire ants, are predators (and omnivores) and actually reduce population levels of other insect and arthropod pests like ticks, chiggers, caterpillars and beetles. Some ants species, however, are considered pests because of their local abundance, and ability to bite and sting. Few ants cause damage to plants in the landscape. A number of species are are pests in and around the home.
Several exotic invasive pest ant species, such as red imported fire ants and Rasberry crazy ants, are causing serious problems in the landscape. NOTE: Subtitles are links to more in-depth fact sheets and web sites.
Crazy Ants
Although Texas has several species of crazy ants, a new exotic invasive pest ant species was found around Houston (Harris County), Texas in 2002, and has begun to spread with human assistance. The ant has yet to be identified to species and is commonly referred to as the Rasberry crazy ant, Nylanderia sp. nr. pubens (LaPolla, et al).
Texas Leaf-cutting Ants
The Texas leaf-cutting ant, Atta texana (Buckley), has several common names including the town ant, cut ant, parasol ant, fungus ant and night ant. Atta texana can be extremely destructive to landscape plants, gardens and some agricultural crops in Texas. Texas leaf-cutting ants produce numerous hills or “towns” around their colony sites. Foraging worker ants harvest vegetation on which to grow a fungus and then feed on the fungus. The leaf-cutting ant is not very common, but colonies can be a problem in turfgrass areas. Although vegetation can be protected by repeated applications of contact insecticides, eliminating the colony is the only way to prevent recurring damage. There are few methods of safely eliminating colonies. For management information, see Insects in the City FactSheet, Texas Leaf-cutting Ant. For controlling the Texas leaf-cutting ant in agricultural production use sites, see the 24(c) label for Amdro Ant Block.
October 2011:
Read an important update on Texas Leaf-cutting Ant Control in Agricultural Use Sites
Red Harvester Ants
The red harvester ant produces denuded areas of coarse soil particles around the central openings to its colonies. Harvester ants can bite and sting and can be dangerous to sensitive individuals. These ants also serve as food for the ever rarer horned lizard.
Carpenter Ants
Carpenter ants are social insects that make their colonies primarily in wood. They hollow out wood to build their nests, making their colonies primarily in wood. They hollow out wood to build their nests, making their galleries and chamber velvety smooth, as if a carpenter had sanded the surfaces. Their tunneling in wood and foraging for food lead to their status as pests in and around the home.
Other Ant Species
Several other species of ants occasionally cause concern. Many of these species are native to the state and are not considered to be major pests. Pyramid ants are grayish black and produce small mounds featuring an edge or rim around the top. These ants are not harmful. Another native species, the little black ant, is common and its colonies are seldom encountered. This species is known to prey upon the queens of the red imported fire ant.
Household Ants
In nature, ants are generally considered to be beneficial insects. But when they invade a home, ants can be a nuisance. Some ant species have been shown to spread disease organisms from infected to non-infected individuals. To manage an ant infestation in the home, you must first identify the species. The next step is to learn about the biology of that species and determine where the colony might be nesting. Some species commonly nest indoors, while others nest outside and enter a home just to look for food.
