Imagine walking through a Wisconsin forest on a summer day. The sun is shining, the birds are singing, and you’re feeling at peace with the world.
But then, you notice something moving at the base of a nearby tree. It’s a colony of ants, scurrying around and carrying bits of food back to their nest.
Ants in Wisconsin are every where, and they play an important role in the environment. They help to control populations of other insects, and they also help to aerate the soil.
But some ant species can become nuisance pests, especially when they invade our homes.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the most common types of ants in Wisconsin.
Most Common Ants in Wisconsin
There are over 900 species of ants in North America, but only a handful are regularly encountered in Wisconsin. The most common ants in Wisconsin include:
Eastern Black Carpenter Ant
The Eastern Black Carpenter Ant is one of the most common ants found in Wisconsin.
- Size & Color: Eastern black carpenter ants in Wisconsin are large, black ants that can grow up to 1/2 inch long. They have a glossy body and large mandibles.
- Habitat: Eastern black carpenter ants prefer to nest in moist, decaying wood, but they can also nest in sound wood in homes and other buildings.
- Biodiversity: Eastern black carpenter ants are an important part of the ecosystem, helping to break down decaying wood. However, they can also be a nuisance pest when they nest in homes and other buildings.
- Complications: Eastern black carpenter ants can cause significant damage to wood structures by excavating tunnels and galleries. They can also weaken wood structures, making them more susceptible to other damage.
- Impact: In Wisconsin, eastern black carpenter ants can have a significant impact on homeowners and businesses in Wisconsin. The damage they cause can be costly to repair and can reduce the value of a property.
Odorous house ants
Odorous ants found in kitchens and bathrooms, where they are attracted to food and water. They establish multiple colonies and can be challenging to control.
- Size & Color: Odorous house ants in Wisconsin are small, black ants that are about 1/8 inch long. They have a characteristic coconut-like odor when crushed.
- Habitat: Odorous house ants prefer to nest in moist, warm areas, such as under kitchen sinks, behind appliances, and in bathrooms. They are often attracted to food and sweet liquids.
- Biodiversity: Odorous house ants are not a native species to Wisconsin. They were introduced from Europe and have become a common nuisance pest.
- Complications: Odorous house ants can contaminate food and surfaces with their saliva and feces. They can also spread bacteria and other pathogens.
- Impact: Odorous house ants can be a nuisance pest in homes and businesses in Wisconsin. They can also contaminate food and surfaces, posing a health risk.
Pavement ants
These ants get their name from their habit of nesting under pavement and concrete.
- Size & Color: Pavement ants in Wisconsin are small, brown or black ants that are about 1/16 inch to 1/8 inch long.
- Habitat: Pavement ants prefer to nest in cracks and crevices in pavement, concrete, and other hard surfaces. They are also often found near food sources, such as garbage cans and outdoor eating areas.
- Biodiversity: Pavement ants are a native species to Wisconsin. They play an important role in the ecosystem by helping to break down food and other organic matter.
- Complications: Pavement ants can be a nuisance pest when they enter homes and businesses in search of food and water. They can also contaminate food and surfaces with their saliva and feces.
- Impact: Pavement ants can have a negative impact on homeowners and businesses in Wisconsin. They can contaminate food and surfaces, posing a health risk. They can also cause minor damage to pavement and concrete.
Field ants in Wisconsin
Field ants are a diverse group of ants that live in open areas, such as lawns, fields, and parks.
- Size & Color: Field ants in Wisconsin are medium to large ants, ranging in size from 1/5 to 3/8 inches in length. Their color can vary, but they are typically black, red, or a combination of the two.
- Habitat: Field ants build their nests in open areas, such as fields, meadows, and grasslands. They often build large mounds that can be several feet wide and tall.
- Biodiversity: Field ants are an important part of the ecosystem. They help to control populations of other insects and pests, and they also play a role in pollination.
- Complications: Field ants can be a nuisance pest when they enter homes and businesses in search of food and water. They can also contaminate food and surfaces with their saliva and feces.
- Impact: Field ants can have a negative impact on homeowners and businesses in Wisconsin. They can contaminate food and surfaces, posing a health risk. They can also damage lawns and gardens.
Pharaoh ants in Wisconsin
Pharaoh ants are common in homes and businesses. They are not venomous, but they can be a nuisance.
- Size & Color: Pharaoh ants in Wisconsin are small, yellow to red ants that are about 1/16 inch long. The queens are slightly darker in color.
- Habitat: Pharaoh ants prefer to nest in warm, humid environments, such as kitchens, bathrooms, and hospitals. They are often found near food and water sources.
- Biodiversity: Pharaoh ants are an invasive species in Wisconsin. They are not native to the state and can outcompete native ant species.
- Complications: Pharaoh ants can be a nuisance pest in homes and businesses. They can contaminate food and surfaces with their saliva and feces. They can also spread bacteria and other pathogens. Pharaoh ants are also difficult to control because they have multiple queens and can form satellite colonies.
- Impact: Pharaoh ants can have a negative impact on homeowners and businesses in Wisconsin. They can contaminate food and surfaces, posing a health risk. They can also damage electrical wiring and other infrastructure.
Allegheny Mound Ant
Allegheny mound ants are a native species and play an important role in aerating the soil and controlling other pest populations. These ants create large, conspicuous mounds in open areas.
- Size & Color: Allegheny mound ants in Wisconsin are medium to large ants, ranging in size from 1/4 to 1/2 inches in length. Their head and thorax are reddish-orange, while their gaster is black-brown.
- Habitat: Allegheny mound ants build their nests in open areas, such as fields, meadows, and woodlands. They construct large mounds made of soil and other debris that can be up to 3 feet tall and 6 feet wide.
- Biodiversity: Allegheny mound ants are an important part of the ecosystem. They help to control populations of other insects and pests, and they also play a role in pollination.
- Complications: Allegheny mound ants can damage plants by injecting them with formic acid. They can also be a nuisance to people who work or play in areas where they are present.
- Impact: Allegheny mound ants can have a negative impact on homeowners and businesses in Wisconsin. They can damage plants and be a nuisance to people.
Red Imported Fire Ant
This invasive species has been making its presence felt in Wisconsin in recent years.
- Size & Color: Red imported fire ants in Wisconsin are small to medium in size, ranging from 1/8 to 1/4 inches in length. They are reddish-brown to bright red in color.
- Habitat: Red imported fire ants prefer to nest in open, sunny areas, such as fields, meadows, and lawns. They can also nest in disturbed areas, such as construction sites and roadsides.
- Biodiversity: Red imported fire ants are an invasive species in Wisconsin. They are not native to the state and can outcompete native ant species.
- Complications: Red imported fire ants can be a nuisance pest and a health hazard. Their stings are painful and can cause allergic reactions in some people.
- Impact: Red imported fire ants can have a negative impact on homeowners, businesses, and the environment in Wisconsin. They can cause painful stings and allergic reactions, damage infrastructure, and outcompete native ant species.
Conclusion
Ants in Wisconsin may often go unnoticed, but they are a crucial part of the state’s natural ecosystem.
These small insects come in various types, sizes, and colors, each with its unique characteristics and contributions.
While some ants can be a nuisance or even harmful, the majority play vital roles in seed dispersal, soil aeration, and maintaining the delicate balance of the local food web.
So, the next time you see ants marching along, remember that these tiny residents are hard at work, silently shaping the environment around them.
