During the spring and summer months when the rain seems to be continuous, little piles of dirt might start appearing in your yard. While it may seem harmless, ants can have a powerful bite, and if you have their homes scattered throughout your yard, you could be at risk for a bite yourself.
Standing in the wrong place, or picking up something covered in ants has proven that ants are territorial. If they feel threatened, they’re going to bite you, which is especially true with fire ants. However, many do not care about the black ants because they think they won’t bite.
In this article, we have everything you need to know about these little black ants, where they make their home, and whether or not their bark is truly bigger than their bite. Here is what you need to know.
The Ants
Little black ants are some of the most common in any species. They are commonly pictured when you think of ants ruining a picnic, and they typically do just that. Black ants are scavengers, and they are always looking for a little human food that we might have left behind.
The worker ants in this species are about 1/16 of an inch in length, and the queen is much larger, ranging from about 1/8 of an inch in length. These ants have antennae that are broken into twelve segments, each pedicel having two segments.
If you’ve even seen a black ant with wings, then you might have seen some of the little black ants that bear wings. These are commonly queens. The little blacks also have rounded bodies that are uneven in shape and size.
Little black ants have a random diet. They prefer to eat anything that is high in protein, like meats. However, if there is something else around, they will devour it. Aphids’ honeydew is another favorite of theirs, and the black ants have been known to care for the baby aphids to get their honeydew later.
Food items that are indoors or out are common feeding grounds for black ants, and they are three major things: a forager, a scavenger, and a predator, searching for their food during the day and at night.
Their Homes
Typically, the United States is covered in these little black ants. They are everywhere in the country. However, they have different homes that you can look at whenever you are walking outdoors. These little black ants have a variety of home styles that vary based on the size of the colony and more.
Most often, these colonies range from a medium to a large size. They also usually contain at least two or more queens that are reproductive. During the summer months, the ants tend to swarm as the queen ants look for a mate.
Typically, the ants make their nests anywhere they can find a spot. Cracks in the sidewalk, cracks in a wooden structure, and even right out in the middle of your yard are ideal places for black ants to nest. They have even been known to nest indoors in various places, especially if food is nearby.
There are some colonies that choose to nest rather far from their feeding areas. This could be a protective measure. However, they often move locations once the summer months come around and the queens begin looking for their mate.
Their Bite
If you are still asking the question of whether black ants bite or not, then you should note that the answers are no. They do not bite. They do, however, have a small stinger on their bodies, which is used for protective purposes and for food.
Their stingers are not large enough nor do they contain enough venom or poison to harm a human. In fact, the stinger is so small that many humans may not even notice that the ant has stung them. Typically, the sting from a black ant will not leave a wound or any pain.
There are instances, just like anything, where the ant will cause an allergic reaction. In this case, the sting from a black ant can be dangerous, itchy, and painful. An individual who is stung by a black ant should always monitor the sting location just in case.
Should you notice that your body is reacting to a black ant bite, there are several things you can do to help with the pain, itching, and swelling. Apply ice to the location to help with swelling. Antibiotic ointments can be applied to help with the itching and irritation of the bite.
What to Do
If you happen to notice tons of little ant mounds in your yard, black ants taking over your home, and more, you might be at a loss for what to do about the ant situation. Black ants are not always easy to get rid of, and if left unchecked, they can become a huge nuisance to your way of life.
Often, using an ant killer or ant pesticide or even natural means can be enough to eliminate the nest that is in your way. If you find that you have a bigger problem with the ants in your area, a professional might be just what the doctor ordered for eliminating the ants and ridding the home or yard of the nests.
Conclusion
If you’ve ever seen the cartoons or drawings where the little black ants are taking over the picnic, then you know how truthful those drawings can be. Little black ants are foragers that try their hardest to get food from humans, anywhere from meats to sweets.
Little black ants are also pests in many situations since they make their nests in strange locations like the sidewalk, the garden, and even the walls of the home. These ants can be quite the nuisance to the homeowner, especially once the ants infiltrate the kitchen or pantry in the home.
Many homeowners find that these ants are best eliminated by pesticides that you can purchase directly from a hardware or garden store. However, if the infiltration of the ants is too much to handle, professional pest control individuals can help eliminate the ants that are a bother for you.
Typically, these ants and their stinger do not leave a mark or irritation on a human. However, should you experience any adverse effects from the ant sting, you can apply both ice and an antibacterial ointment to the location to eliminate the itching and irritation that might be left.
Little black ants are not harmful to humans, but they can be a nuisance when it comes to taking your food. If you find ants in your home or taking over your yard, you should immediately be taking measures to get rid of their nests to take back your home.