Types of Ants in Arizona
There are a lot of ant species in Arizona: carpenter ants, fire ants, crazy ants, pavement ants, Forelius ants. They’re all attracted to various types of food based on ant species and age of the colony.
First, let’s talk about the ants you really don’t want to see.
Destructive and Aggressive Arizona Ants
Arizona Fire Ants
Fire ants are an invasive pest in Arizona and have been a major concern for Arizona residents for decades. Based on their reputation, you’d think Fire Ants were all over Arizona.
But the reality is, they’re not as common as you’d think. Nevertheless, they’re nasty if you have the misfortune of coming across a colony.
They swarm over and sting pretty much anything that crosses their foraging path.
Once a Fire Ant is provoked, it releases a signal to the rest of the ants in the area through pheromones. What does that signal say?
Repeatedly attack the closest moving thing.
Fire Ants will eat almost anything: from meat to leaves.
They can also nest in most any landscape. Fire Ants have (and continue to) displace many native Arizona insects, and the animals that feed on them.
Fire Ants are also known as Red Ants because their bodies are red with a darker midsection (or abdomen).
Fire Ants build their colonies deep in the ground which means they’re tough to get rid of with store bought products.
Sexton Pest Control uses insecticidal baits that treat ants at the source of the problem. The time released baits take out the ants that come across them. But the time release allows our baits to get to all the other ants that are fed the product, from the larvae to the queen.
Other Arizona Ants
Forelius Ants
Forelius ants are a bright orange and found in hot, dry places. However, they will also enter buildings to set up colonies. Forelius ants are harmless but is still a common pest in Arizona.
Forelius ants prefer sweet or sugary foods. They’re even said to have a pleasant or sweet smell when squashed. But definitely don’t squash them. That pleasant smell is a pheromone that calls for back up- which equals more ants.
Sugar Ants
Sugar ants like to hang out on hard, hot surfaces.
That means Sugar Ants love your driveway, pool deck, sidewalk, and foundation (hence their other name, Pavement Ants.
They do sting for self-defense, but it won’t hurt or itch as much as a Fire Ant. But be careful. Some people can be allergic to Pavement Ant venom (bad superhero?). It’s best to avoid a run in, just in case.
Ants In Arizona- It Pays to be Proactive
Ants in Arizona are no joke. It’s much more affordable to be proactive about preventative action towards ants than it is to be reactive.
It’s harder to get rid of a colony than to stop one before it’s built.
If you have any questions about ant pest control, feel free to contact us at Sexton Pest Control.
For over 50 years, we’ve made it our mission to provide unparalleled service and guaranteed customer satisfaction when it comes to fighting back against all pests.
We guarantee that your ant problem will be eliminated, or we will come back out, free of charge.