Ants
Ants may be small, but they are quite the formidable foe. To the naked eye, an ant is an ant, but Florida is home to many distinct species. The bugs are an absolute nuisance. Not only do some bite, leaving painful and itchy wounds, they also contaminate food and damage walls and furniture.
Common House Infesters
There are a number in Florida that frequently make their way inside buildings, invading your private space and taking over.
Crazy Ants get their name from their fast, erratic movements. They’re easily identifiable because they don’t follow particular paths the way others do. They are incredibly durable, even recorded to have survived long voyages on ships.
Another type you’re likely to find in your home, especially in the Sarasota County area, are Argentine Ants. They have been a nuisance in the United States since the 19th century. The foraging workers crawl through homes, seeking out sugars in your kitchen pantry to feast on, tracking dirt and bacteria with every step.
White-Footed Ants have become extraordinarily widespread in Florida, too. Though they do not bite, they form colonies of up to 3 million that are extremely unsightly.
Common Yard Infesters
The types that prefer to stay outdoors are no less of a nuisance. There are two kinds of Fire Ants commonly found in Florida: The Native Fire and the more prevalent Imported Fire. Both inflict painful bites that swell up and cause severe allergic reactions in some people.
Pyramid Ants are another common sight. They build volcano-shaped mounds throughout your yard. They do have some beneficial qualities though; they often eat Fire Ants and do not typically bite people.
There are multiple kinds of Carpenter Ants and you’re likely to see them both indoors and out. Florida Carpenters don’t do much damage do healthy wood. They build nests in rotting wood and Styrofoam, and they’re known to bite. Black Carpenters, in contrast, cause damage to wood, regardless of the condition.
Less-Well-Known
Here are some that don’t get the same notoriety as Fire and Argentine but are just as much of a nuisance.
Big-Headed Ants have earned the name as one of the top 100 “World’s Worst invaders.” They nest in soil and attack other bugs, affecting the ecosystem.
Caribbean Ants have exploded in population size in recent years and are becoming a more significant nuisance in Florida.
Rover Ants develop strong wings, which they use to fly around and check out different properties to consider invading. They establish gigantic nest structures and huge colonies.
Ghost Ants are a nightmare for greenhouses and crops, chewing through what’s in their path. They’re tough to wipe out because they divide their colonies up into multiple locations. Destroy one and there is another somewhere else close by.
If you have an ant problem, it’s essential to know what kind you’re dealing with. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all battle, and an expert will be able to determine which species is parading around your property. In the North Port area, that expert is Over-A-Cheever Pest Control. We know Florida bugs are a whole different level of pest, and we know how to take care of them. Your wellbeing matters to us, which is why we offer free inspections. If you’re worried about ants, rodents, wildlife, or other bugs, give us a call.