ANTS IDENTIFICATION IN NORTH TEXAS – Control & Extermination Guide

Ants (scientific name: Formicidae) are eusocial insects belonging to the species “Arthropoda” and order “Hymenopterans.” There are 22,000 species of ants, out of which 12,500 of an estimated total have been classified.

Characteristics of Ants

Like all insects, ant’s also have different segments in their bodies as:

● The Thorax.
● The Abdomen.
● The Head.

Moreover, ants have hard, waterproof armor, which we call the Exoskeleton, which is made up of Chitin. They are much stronger as compared to their size, due to the support provided by their Exoskeleton. Wonder is that they can lift ten times more than their weight. They have two large compound eyes, either red or black in color and length can be between 1/3″ to 1/2″. Ants have three pairs of jointed legs (that’s why they belong to Arthropoda ), elbowed antennae, and powerful jaws.

Habitat:

Ants can adapt to a wide range of habitats due to many characteristics of them. They can be found anywhere on the planet, from deserts to tropical rainforests and deciduous forests to urban areas. Exceptionally, the places where native species of ants aren’t present are Antarctica, Polynesia, Hawaii, Iceland, and Greenland.

Feeding:

Ants like some other insects can feed on both plants and animals matter. Some ants also feed on other insects, the dead matter of them, including those many times bigger than them. They also meet their nutritional needs from human garbage, meat from dead bodies of animals, fruits (can be both dry and fresh ), and vegetables.

Colonization of Ants:

Ants colonize themselves in small to large colonies, in three basic categories, namely:

● Egg-laying Queen.
● Adult workers.
● Broods.

Life Cycle:

Ants undergo the phenomenon of “Metamorphosis,” which means a complete change in body form. They undergo four body forms during their whole life at different stages:

● Egg.
● Larva.
● Pupa.
● Adult.

Female ants grow up from FERTILIZED eggs while male ants grow up from UNFERTILIZED eggs.

SOME BASIC TYPES OF ANTS

Acrobats Ants:

These are an ecologically diverse genus of ants found worldwide, typically known for their heart-shaped abdomen. Cocktail ants are some members of this genus which raise their abdomens when alarmed.

Argentine Ants:

These ants are native to Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina. Their characteristics can identify Argentine ants as they are dark to light brown and 2.2 to 2.8 mm long. Their antennas are 12-segmented, and they are wingless. Their queens are slightly larger than workers.

Raspberry Crazy Ant:

These ants are usually found in most parts of South America. They show quick and unpredictable movements; that’s why they are called “crazy.” They are found in reddish-brown color, and their length is almost 1/7 of an inch. They have tiny hairs on their bodies. They have a kind of erratic behavior and look like they are running all over.

Asian Needle Ant:

These ants are slender and have lighter orange legs. They have a black and shiny body. So their color and length can be used for their identification, and are 0.2 inches long. The length of one worker can be compared with the kernel of un-popped popcorn. They aren’t fussy in making their homes.

Prevention, Cautions, and Control

We should take preventive measures and should be cautious about ants. Ant bite is so painful and irritating, so we should avoid entry in our homes and be aware of their contact with our skin. Some ants’ venom can be so dangerous that it can cause instant death or severe health problems. To avoid this mess, we should:

● Keep the surfaces of our homes clean.
● Food should be seal packed.
● No seals should be opened.

But even after all this, if you get an ant bite, lift that area of your body immediately using ice packs and consult a physician. You might be able to prevent ants infestation by these precautions, but it’s not a permanent solution. Action Pest Services offer the best ants control solutions in North Texas. This company offers permanent pests extermination at very reasonable rates. They are just a call away from you, contact them before these ants take over your house.