Odorous House Ant- Tapinoma sessile

Odorous house ants are usually one-eighth inch long. They are black in color and have a single node hidden by the front of their abdomen. A colony may have many queens, making them very difficult to control. These types of ants may enter homes when colonies become very large, as their natural food or water sources may become scarce. This also happens in case of drought, flood, or other extreme climate conditions. They typically prefer sweet foods, but they also eat protein foods like meats and cheeses. Ants that live outdoors feed mainly on honeydew produced by insects such as aphids and mealy bugs. For long-term control of odorous house ants, elimination of food, water, and nesting sites is necessary.

Red Imported Fire Ant- Solenopsis invicta

Red Imported Fire Ant workers have different sizes with some as small as one-sixteenth of an inch while others are one-quarter long. Their mounds are typically found in soil or lawns that receive enough sunlight. During cooler months, mounds appear near areas that hold heat through the night such as curbs, sidewalks, driveways, structures, electrical poles, and boxes. These ants can be seen anywhere from a few inches to several feet and with multiple holes across their mound’s surface. They come boiling out from the holes when disturbed. Workers have painful stings. Bites may become a raised and sore area with a white pustule in the center.This type of ant is considered a serious medical, agriculture, and property pest. Fast acting products should be applied to mounds in areas of high traffic. Mounds in low or no traffic areas are usually treated using baits especially designed for fire ants.