Ants are pests around the home because they feed on and contaminate human
foods, infest structures, and build unsightly mounds in lawns. In some cases,
ants are able to inflict painful bites or stings. Ants do not attack or eat
fabrics, leather or wood in houses; however, some species can establish nests
in decayingwood in structures.
Several species of ants are found in or around houses in Florida. In
general,the most common ants can be grouped as house-infesting ants,
yard-infestingants, and carpenter ants. The most commonly encountered pest
ants are pharaoh, ghost, carpenter, native fire, imported fire, crazy, thief,
big-headed, and acrobat ants.
Identification
Ants can be recognized from other insects because they have a narrow
waist (pedicel) with one or two joints (nodes) between the thorax and
abdomen. Also, ants have elbowed antennae. Winged reproductives have
four wings with the first pair being much larger in size than the hind
pair.
Ants are frequently confused with termites. However, termites have
a broadwaist between the thorax and the abdomen. Termite reproductives
have four wings of equal size.
Parts of this material reproduced from "University of Florida,
Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences"
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