Discover the 4 Types of Ants Set to Emerge in Tennessee This Summer

Like many southern states, Tennessee experiences very hot summers. The hottest months in Tennessee are July and August, where temperatures above 90°F aren’t uncommon. Sadly, many critters also come out during spring. Four common ants in Tennessee emerge in summer. Some can infest homes quickly and wreak havoc on your life. Follow along to learn more about the 4 ant species common during Tennessee summers and how to spot them.

Little Black Ants

First, we’re starting our list with little black ants. The scientific name for little black ants is Monomorium minimum. They are native to North America and are common throughout the United States. Although you may see more little black ants during summer, they are active all year round. As their name suggests, little black ants are small shiny black ants. Most worker ants are about 1 to 2 mm long, while queens are 4 to 5 mm long. Interestingly, little black ant nests can have more than one queen.

Little black ants are scavengers. They aren’t picky and will consume and horde whatever they find. Although little black ants aren’t dangerous, they can get into small spaces and easily infest food items. They also aren’t known to bite. You can find these ants in kitchens, especially during summers in Tennessee.

Red Imported Fire Ants (RIFA)

Red imported fire ants (RIFA) pack a powerful bite. These uncomfortable and invasive ants are common in Tennessee. Red imported fire ants are native to South America, but they can be found all over the world! The dark red ants are easy to spot. Although native to South America, you can find this pesky ant in New Zealand, Australia, and the Caribbean. Interestingly, although they are known for their redness, male fire ants are black.

Fire ants aren’t just known for their red coloration though. They are also known for their stinging bite. Red fire ants can leave your skin swollen and bumpy. If you accidentally step on a fire ant pile, they can quickly climb up, leaving red bite marks on exposed skin. Red fire ants cause a lot of damage. They also compete with native ant species. These ants have been in Tennessee since at least 1987.

Carpenter Ants

Carpenter ants are amazing, however, they are also destructive. These ants travel long distances in groups to forage for food. Carpenter ants are also large. Most worker ants are about 4 to 7 mm long, while queens can grow up to 22 mm long.

Carpenter ants belong to the genus Camponotus. There are over 1,000 ant species within the genus. These large ants destroy many man-made wooden structures. However, while they are known as destroyers, they play an important role in the environment as they help in forest decomposition. These ants aren’t picky. Carpenter ants can live both indoors and outdoors. They also construct extensive underground tunnels which they use to safely store food sources. These tunnels sometimes lead to aphid colonies, which carpenter ants destroy. These large ants also have wings and are known to fly. The first sign that you have a carpenter infestation is typically frass, a saw-like material.

Odorous House Ants

There are many ants in Tennessee. Another common summer ant in the state is the odorous house ant. As their name suggests, these ants have a distinct odor when they are crushed. They can smell like rotting coconuts or rancid butter. Either way, you don’t want to accidentally step on one of these ants. Odorous house ants are small and go by many names. They are also called sugar ants, stink ants, and coconut ants. These unique and small ants can have many nests and queens. They reproduce quickly. Although this ant species is known for invading homes for sugary foods, they also consume honeydew produced by aphids and scale insects. They also consume floral nectars.

Odorous house ants are brown to black and less than a quarter of an inch long. These house ants are native to North America and have a large range. You can find them from southern Canada to northern Mexico. It’s common to see them indoors near kitchens or a heating source. Although many colonies nest outside, they’ve also been found in strange places, like the lids of toilets. Thankfully, these small ants are easy to prevent and get rid of. Make sure you don’t leave standing water in open spaces with leftover food.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Scott Bauer / Public domain, from Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository – License / Original