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Small Ants

Martin HardyM.Sc Biology-entomologyORKIN CANADA

• HUMANS HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR ABOUT 4.5 MILLION YEARS

• ANTS HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR MORE THAN 100 MILLION YEARS

• ANTS ARE ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL ORGANISMS ON THE PLANET

• 12,000+ SPECIES OF ANTS WORLDWIDE

• 1000+ SPECIES IN NORTH AMERICA

• 150+ SPECIES IN CANADA

• 110+ SPECIES IN QUEBEC

Termite CARPENTER ANT

GERMAN WASP

Kingdom Animalia Animalia AnimaliaPhylum Arthropoda Arthropoda ArthropodaClass Insecta Insecta InsectaOrder Isoptera Hymenoptera HymenopteraFamily Rhinotermitidae Formicidae VespidaeGenus Reticulitermes Tetramorium Vespula

Species hesperus caespitum germanica

THREE SEGMENTED BODY PLANELBOWED ANTENNAE6 LEGS (3 PAIRS)WINGLESS WORKERSWINGED MATING STAGE (2 PAIR)

• COMPLETE METAMORPHOSIS

• Egg → Larva → Pupa → Adult

6 weeks to 3 months

ANTS ARE ECTOTHERMSANTS CAN ONLY CONSUME LIQUIDSANTS HAVE 2 STOMACHS (1 FOR NUTRIENT

ABSORPTION, 1 FOR TROPHALLAXIS)ANTS GROOM BY RUNNING THEIR LEGS

THROUGH THEIR MANDIBLESANTS CAN BITE, SOME CAN STING OR EMIT

FORMIC ACIDANTS PRODUCE PHEROMONESANTENNAE CONTAIN CHEMORECEPTORS CELLS CONTAIN GLYCOGEN LIVE IN COLONIES

ALL ANTS ARE EUSOCIALCOLONY MEMBERS ACT COOPERATIVELYCOLONIES HAVE 3 MAIN CASTES

QUEENMALESWORKERS (FEMALES)

1) QUEEN Usually largest ant in a colony Produces eggs Winged form for mating Drops wings when mated

2) WORKER (major) Sterile females Soldiers (defense) Can be polymorphic

3) WORKER (minor) Smaller sterile females Foraging Brood care Nest repair

4) MALES Smallest ants in the colony Unfertilized eggs → Male Die a few days after mating

MALES (SWARMERS) AND UNFERTILIZED QUEENS WILL GROW WINGS ONCE A COLONY HAS REACHED SATURATION (2-10 YRS).

A NUPTIAL FLIGHT TAKES PLACE AND MALES INSEMINATE THE QUEENS.

MALES DIE OFF. FERTILIZED QUEENS SEEK OUT A HIDING PLACE UNDER A

ROCK, LOG, OR IN A VOID SPACE. HER WINGS FALL OFF. QUEEN RE-ABSORBS HER WING MUSCLES AS NUTRITION,

AND BEGINS LAYING EGGS. SHE STORES ENOUGH SPERM TO LAY EGGS FOR LIFE (UP TO 25 YEARS).

FIRST FEW EGGS MAY BE FOOD, THE REST DEVELOP INTO WORKERS (MINOR).

PEAK FORAGING OCCURS BETWEEN 10PM AND 2AM. SCOUT ANTS WEAVE AND LOOP ALONG SUBSTRATE IN SEARCH OF

FOOD (UP TO 200M FROM THE NEST). COMPLEX NAVIGATION ALLOWS THEM TO KNOW WHERE THE NEST IS AT ALL TIMES.

ONCE FOOD IS LOCATED THE SCOUT ANT HEADS DIRECTLY BACK TO THE NEST, LEAVING BEHIND A PHEROMONE TRAIL. THE WORKER ANTS ARE NOTIFIED.

PEAK FORAGING OCCURS BETWEEN 10PM AND 2AM. SCOUT ANTS WEAVE AND LOOP ALONG SUBSTRATE IN SEARCH OF

FOOD (UP TO 200M FROM THE NEST). COMPLEX NAVIGATION ALLOWS THEM TO KNOW WHERE THE NEST IS AT ALL TIMES.

ONCE FOOD IS LOCATED THE SCOUT ANT HEADS DIRECTLY BACK TO THE NEST, LEAVING BEHIND A PHEROMONE TRAIL. THE WORKER ANTS ARE NOTIFIED.

ALL FORAGING ANTS NOW USE THIS TRAIL (6-20MM WIDE). MOST ANTS FEED ON PROTEINS IN THE SPRING DURING LARVAL

DEVELOPMENT, AND CARBOHYDRATES IN THE SUMMER.

• Black Field (thatching) Ant – Formica spp.• Moisture Ant (Cornfield) – Lasius alienus.• Odourous House Ant – Tapinoma sessile

Black Field Ant – Formica glacialis(Thatching Ants)

FIELD (THATCHING) ANTSAppearance: Large ants, (3/8-inch) often confused with Carpenter ants. Wide

variation in color: black, brown, tan, reddish, or red and black in color. Thorax is bumpy in appearance. Key distinguishing feature: The presence of 3 distinct ocelli on head.

Habitat: Field ants are common around structures, but are not often found inside. These ants are soil nesters and may construct mounds in open fields. In lawns, these nests have a low profile. rarely reaching above the top of the grass. They also nest under objects like rocks, landscape timbers and firewood piles. Displaced soil is often evident. Items such as stones, logs, and bricks should be overturned and inspected for colonies underneath.

Diet: Feed on insects and the sweet honeydew produced by aphids and similar insects.

Reproduction One queen per colony.Swarms in early fall.

Other: They rarely enter homes, but are commonly seen crawling on porches, foundations and decks where they may be confused with carpenter ants, because they are similar in size and coloration.

2 - 3.5MM LONG 1 NODE UNEVEN THORAX (PROFILE)MONOMORPHIC WORKERS 12 SEGMENTED ANTENNA (NO CLUB)

Moisture Ant – Lasius sp.

MOISTURE ANTSAppearance: Yellow to dark brown. About 1/4 inch (2 - 3.5mm) long. The thorax

lacks spines. The pedicel is a single segment, pointed when viewed from profile.

Habitat: Cornfield ants are usually found nesting in areas similar to carpenter ants. In some cases, cornfield ants will utilize the nesting sites of eradicated carpenter ants.

Diet: Feed on sweets and proteins. Often a pest at picnics.

Reproduction Nuptial flights in late summer / early fall.One queen per colony.

Other: Moisture ants may also be referred to as “Cornfield Ants.”

2.5 - 3.5MM LONG

1 NODE (HIDDEN DORSALLY)

UNEVEN THORAX (PROFILE)

MONOMORPHIC WORKERS

Odorous House Ant – Tapinoma sessile

ODOROUS HOUSE ANTSAppearance: Dark brown to black. About 1/8 inch (2.5 - 3.5mm) long.

The pedicel is a single segment, and hidden when the ant is viewed dorsally (from above).

Habitat: Odorous house ants will nest both indoors (often exterior walls, and often near moisture) and outdoors (anywhere).

Nests may move indoors when honeydew is in short supply.

Diet: Feed primarily on honeydew.

Reproduction Swarm or bud.Many queens per colony.

Other: When crushed they emit a rotten coconut smell.

GHOST ANTSTapinoma melanocephalum

• Pavement Ant – Tetramorium caespitum• Pharaoh Ant – Monomorium pharaonis• European Fire Ant – Myrmica ruba

2.5-3MM LONG 2 NODES PAIR OF SPINES ON THORAX 12 SEGMENTED ANTENNA (3 CLUB) STINGER PRESENTMONOMORPHIC WORKERS

Pavement Ants – Tetramorium caespitum2-segmented petiole=pedicel

Stinger

Propodeum, pair of small spines

PAVEMENT ANTSAppearance: Yellow - brown. About 1/16 inch (2.5-3mm).

2 nodes.12 segmented antennae with a 3 segmented club.Grooves on head.Single pair of spines on thorax.Stinger present.

Habitat: Normally nests beneath patio stones, sidewalks, and foundations.Nests can be easily observed by the piles of sand, silt, or soil mounded near entrances.

Diet: Feed on sweets, proteins, grease, meat, plants and insects.

Reproduction Many queens per colony.Swarms early summer to fall.

Other: None.

2MM LONG 2 NODES YELLOWISH BODY (ABDOMEN DARK) 12 SEGMENTED ANTENNA (3 CLUB) STINGER PRESENT (BUT DO NOT STING)MONOMORPHIC WORKERS

Pharaoh Ants – Monomorium pharaonis

PHARAOH ANTSAppearance: Yellow – brown (dark abdomen). About 1/16 inch (2mm).

2 nodes.12 segmented antennae with a 3 segmented club.Stinger present.

Habitat: Nest indoors in warm, humid areas (80%).Use conduits as highways.Can be transported via peoples belongings (when moving).

Diet: Feed on sweets, proteins, grease, meat, plants and insects.

Reproduction Many queens per colony.Budding or Fission (Splitting).

Other: Incorrect insecticide treatment (often by the home owner) leads to colony splitting.

4-5MM LONG 2 NODES GROOVED HEAD/THORAX & RED BODY

12 SEGMENTED ANTENNA (4 CLUB) STINGER PRESENTMONOMORPHIC WORKERS

European Fire Ants– Myrmica ruba

Solenopsis invictaRed imported Fire ants

Polygyne, colonies can reach from 100,000 to 250,000 species of individuals.

Be careful, this species stings, we report 14 million bites per year in the USA

Injecting venom (Isosolenopsin A) causes blood pressure (-42.96%), heartbeat (29.13%) which can lead to cardiac arrest or respiratory arrest until death.

EUROPEAN FIRE ANTSAppearance: Red body. Grooved head and thorax. Adults (4-5mm).

2 nodes.12 segmented antennae with a 4 segmented club.2 spines on the thorax.Stinger present.

Habitat: Use conduits as highways.Can be transported via people (mulch, plants, etc.).

Diet: Feed on sweets, proteins, grease, meat, plants and insects.

Reproduction Many queens per colony.Nuptial flights (rare in NA).Budding /Fission more common in NA.

Other: Stings are painful (like a match to the skin).

← Magnifying Glass or Loop

← Field Guide & I.D. Keys

← Flashlight & Tools(Drill, Screwdriver, Pliers)

•Stethoscope•Moisture Meter•Stud Finder•Vacuum Cleaner•Bait To Identify Nest Location

1) Communicate with the client• Let them know the inspection will take time• Ask the client to show you areas where ants have

been seen most often• Ask what time of day are the ants seen• Ask if the structure has been subject to water damage• Ask if the client has had Ant problems in the past• Ask if the ants are inside when it is cool outside

2) Locate Ant Trails• Ants lay down pheromones for other ants to follow.• Ant trails through lawns may be visible (2cm wide

paths).• Ants make use of natural lines (wires, drain pipes,

tree branches, etc.).• Ants take the shortest route to the nest once they

have found food. An ant with food in its mouth is heading to the nest.

3) Locate Potential Access Points

6) Prevent A Re-Infestation• Gain client co-operation in;

• Repairing Leaks• Replacing Damaged Shingles• Unclogging Gutters• Increasing Ventilation (Attics, Basements, Washrooms)• Trimming Tree Branches

• Do a thorough inspection• Do not “over-treat”• Perform a follow-up inspection

ANTS WITH MULTIPLE QUEENS

When treating ant colonies with multiple queens more oftenthan not baiting is MUCH more effective than residualtreatment.

WHICH BAIT IS BEST?

1. Be of a type and consistency that is attractive to the target species

2. Remain attractive long enough to be found and transported back to the nest

3. Be available in large enough quantity to effect the entire colony

4. Kill slowly enough, to allow the bait to be carried back and spread through the colony

5. Be of a nature that the insecticide will cause the death or sterilization of the queen(s)

Baits Must:

• Place baits along “Structural Lines”, at transition points between lines or on established trails Wires, pipes, branches, grooves, etc.

Where Should Baits Be Placed?

Suggested Bait Placements – Outdoors

Common Outdoor Application Sites:1. Treeholes2. Tree Stumps3. Landscape timbers4. Wood piles5. Fences6. Door kick plates7. Entry points around roof lines,

gutters, vents & soffits8. Debris piles/leaf litter9. Mulch beds

10. Window and door frames11. Utility entry points12. Decks and deck sills13. Sheds and doghouses14. Around garbage cans

Suggested Bait Placements – Indoors

Common Indoor Application Sites:1. Around window sills2. Under sinks3. Behind refrigerators4. Along baseboards5. Behind stoves6. Around dishwashers7. Crawlspaces9. Attics

10. Bathrooms

PRODUCT ACTIVE % BASE STATEDrax Boric Acid 5 Sugar Gel

Drax Boric Acid 5 Protein Gel

Maxforce Hydramethylnon 0.9 Protein /Sugar

Gel

Antex Boric Acid 5.4 Sugar Liquid

AdvanceCarpenter

Abamectin 0.011 ? Granular

AdvanceDual Choice

Abamectin 0.011 Sugar / Protein

Gel

ANT ACTIVE % BASEPharaoh Boric Acid 1-2 • Observe Ants

• Mint JellyOdorous House

Boric Acid 2.5 Sugar Water

Carpenter Boric Acid 5 Sugar / Protein

1. Ants Seen- Bait Not Eaten– Wrong Type of Bait– Competitive Food

Available– Contamination of Bait– Insecticide Residues

on Bait– Bait Material Stale

2. Ants Taking Bait ButStill Active– Bait Takes Time to Work

Be Patient– Insufficient Bait Applied– Re-infestation by

Neighbouring Colony– Changes in Weather

Effecting Feeding Behavior

TroubleshootingBaiting Problems

Questions … ?