The field ant common name stems from its preference for outdoor nesting. The field ant is the largest ant genus found in northern Mexico. Many other names like thatching ants, red ants and wood ants also apply to field ants.
In late summer, field ants may become a pest when the winged ants migrate out of their colonies.
Field ants feed primarily on honeydew, which is a material found on trees and shrubs from plant-sucking insects such as aphids, mealy-bugs, and scale insects. Some field ant’s species, however, including the silky ant, attract groups of aphids so there is always a large supply of honeydew. Other kinds of field ants are scavengers and collect meat.
Field ants create mounds composed of plant materials, such as grass, twigs, leaves, and pine needles. They sometimes nest around small trees, shrubs, or rocks. Many animals build their nests in the cracks of roads, along the walls of the foundations and at the trees base. Farm bees are seldom nesting in homes but sometimes entering for sweets.
Farm ants have no stinger, but when disturbed, they bite. Some field ants spray formic acid when they bite into the wound, so this can be very painful.
There are a few things that can be done around the property to stop a breeding of field ants. Homeowners should store firewood from the house at least 15 feet away, avoid mulching right up against the foundation, and keep shrubbery well-trimmed.
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