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Common Name: Little black ant
Latin Name: Monomorium minimum (Buckley)
Common Family Name: Ants
Latin Family Name: Formicidae

Other Names:

Origin: Possibly a native of the United States, where it is found most commonly in the eastern half, but frequently in California as well.

Biology: When found outdoors this ant nests primarily in the soil under debris or other objects, as well as in open areas and in turf. The nest opening will have a small crater of soil around it. Less commonly the nests may be found in cavities under bark or other areas, as well as within structures in walls or under carpets. Colonies are small but have numerous queens, and will relocate when they are disturbed. Preferred foods seem to be sugar materials such as honeydew, but they also feed on protein from live or dead insects.

Identification: This ant is one of our smallest, with workers only about 1.5 mm long. It is related to the Pharaoh Ant and is the same size, but is a shiny black color instead of the orange of the Pharaoh Ant. It is a double-node ant and workers are all the same size. The antennae have 12 segments, with the last 3 segments enlarged to form a club.

Characteristics Important in Control: Control of these ants includes correction of the attractions that drew them to a property, including harborage sites, food sources, and moisture conditions. Elimination of insects that provide protein or honeydew sources reduces ant foraging in an area, and cleanup of unnecessary debris or objects on the soil that provide harborage eliminates nesting. Ant bait products in liquid or gel formulations can be highly effective, and carbohydrate formulations may be preferred. Location of the nest sites is important, and when found can be treated directly with a residual dust insecticide.

Common Name: Pavement ant
Latin Name: Tetramorium caespitum (L.)
Common Family Name: Ants
Latin Family Name: Formicidae

Other Names:

Origin: Believed to originate from either Europe or Asia, but found commonly throughout the east coast states and California, and less commonly in the Midwest.

Biology: The common name of these ants is derived from their habit of creating nests under asphalt or concrete slabs, pushing small mounds of soil out through cracks and expansion joints. The nests are usually very shallow, and may also be found under debris or objects on the ground, as well as within structures near heat sources in the winter. Activity is generally begun at dusk or later, and the workers forage commonly within structures, where they may feed on greases, pet foods, or sweet materials. Outdoors they feed on honeydew, fruits, or other materials. Swarming is most common in the spring, with large numbers emerging from numerous colonies over a period of several days. They are attracted to lights and may find their way indoors at night.

Identification: This is a double-node ant, shiny black, and about 3 mm long. It has a small pair of spines at the back of the thorax and it is capable of stinging, even though the workers are fairly slow moving. The workers are easily identified using magnification, to see the distinct lines on top of the head, running from front to back. Swarmers often are confused with carpenter ants, but are easily separated due to the 2 nodes, rather than a single node as is the case with carpenter ants.

Characteristics Important in Control: Along with cleanup of potential food sources both inside and outside the structure, pavement ants are easily controlled by locating the colony and applying a residual dust insecticide into it. Colonies are usually very shallow and found by the small mounds of dirt pushed out onto the surface above. Bait products also seem to be accepted by the workers and will be effective.

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