ARGENTINE ANT
Size: Argentine ant workers are about 1/16 in (2.2-2.6 mm) long. Queens are about 1/8-1/4 in (4-6 mm) long.
Color: Light to dark brown
Habitat: Argentine ants build shallow nests near a source of moisture, such as along sidewalks, under rocks, between plants, near water pipes, potted plants.
Biology: Colonies have many queens, and hundreds, or up to several thousand, workers. The numbers change depending upon the time of year.
Damage: Argentine ants are mainly a nuisance pest, but since they crawl over garbage, sewage, and carrion, they can transport disease organisms.
Food: They like sweets best, but also feed on oil, fats, meat.
CARPENTER ANT FAMILY
Size: Worker size varies between 1/8-1/2 in (3.5-13 mm) long; queen may be up to 5/8 in (17 mm) long.
Color: Black with reddish legs and golden hairs covering the abdomen.
Habitat: Carpenter ants hollow out spaces in wood to use as nests.
Biology: A mature colony of western carpenter ants may have 10,000-20,000 workers, or up to 100,000.
Damage: The hollowing of wood for nests can weaken a structure. Also, bites can be painful
Invasion: Carpenter ants enter near doors and windows, pipes, utility wires, branches of trees, and shrubs.
PHAROAH ANTS
Size: Pharaoh ant workers and males are about 1/16 in (1.5-2 mm) long; queens are about 1/8 in (4 mm).
Color: Body is pale yellow to red; darker abdomen is almost black; queens are slightly darker.
Habitat: Pharaoh ant nests are usually indoors where there is warmth and high humidity.
Biology: Colonies usually have thousands of workers, up to several hundred thousand. New nests can be formed with as few as 5 workers, 10 pre-adults, and 1 Queen.
Damage: Pharaoh ants are believed to spread various diseases. They are a common problem in hotels, grocery stores, hospitals, and apartments.
Food: Workers establish trails to feeding spots, and may go far for food and water. They eat sweets, meat, and dead insects.
Inspection