Introduction To Types Of Ants

Ants have been around for almost 100 million years and have existed on every part of the planet with the exception of Antarctica. They show no signs of stopping and this is attributed to the fact that they adapt to just about every climate and circumstance surrounding them. They are highly intelligent problem solvers and work together with one another in organized colonies. Ants can sometimes be problematic pests if they invade a home or destroy a crop. You can follow these guidelines in making sure ants are not a problem to your home and property. But, most of the time ants are actually helpful insects that keep our ecosystem in shape and keep our gardens free of destructive pests. There are almost 12,500 different species of ants that have already been classified. As of today, there are about another 10,000 that have yet to be given names or descriptions.

The most common ant types are found in Europe and America and these include Argentine Ants, Carpenter Ants, Black Garden Ants, Pavement Ants and Fire Ants.
Argentine ants are so named because even though they are commonly found in the Mid-Western and Western United States, they originated in Argentina. They came to the US on freight ships in the late 1800s and, using their intelligence and adaptability, made the US their home. They are noted for their dark brown color and their love of eggs. Carpenter Ants burrow in wood which is how they get their name. These creatures come in shades of black and while they can do terrible damage to wooden structures and homes when they are in their native forest areas they help take care of cleaning up dead trees and providing them as food for fungi and bacteria. Any infestation in homes or outdoor structures must be taken care of quickly to keep damage to a minimum.

Black garden ants are the most popular for the average eye to identify. These black ants are everywhere and are one of the most common to be found in Europe. They are usually found outside in sidewalk cracks, under bricks and in gardens. These ants fend off predatory garden insects. They love to eat seeds and fruits and can live to be an extraordinary 15 years of age. Pavement ants are similar to black ants in that they love to nest in the cracks of the pavement. They are common in most all of the United States but find the Eastern US to be their favorite place to live. Fire ants or European fire ants are a little less popular with humans because they can sting. They are more common in the Southern US including states like Texas but they can be found in Latin America, too. These small ants are often identified by the mounds that they create. They are also capable of gathering together to float on water. The Red Imported Fire Ants or RIFA were brought into the US through the port of Mobile, AL. They are among the most hated of ants because of their ability to sting, and also because they can procreate at incredible rates.

If you own a garden be aware that the ants that frequent it will probably help it grow and flourish. Some people even deliberately breed ants to live on the perimeter of gardens. If you do not garden and you begin noticing holes in wood areas around your home know that you may not have termites. You might have Carpenter Ants instead. Contact an expert pest control company if you notice any type of infestation in your home. They will identify the exact species of ant causing the problem and then be able to rid your home of them in an effective, safe manner.