Ant Species in Arizona

Fire Ants

• Fire ants are an invasive and highly successful ant species. They build large, dome-like burrows and are extremely aggressive. Their stings are painful, and some people experience allergic reactions. These ants are small, ranging from 1/16 to 1/4 inch in length. They have brownish-red, partially translucent bodies with dark brown or black abdomens. They are primarily carnivores, but will eat just about anything. They can swarm and kill small animals, including turtles and rodents.

Pharaoh Ants

• Pharaoh ants are very small, with workers measuring only 2 mm or so. They are translucent and range in color from yellow to light brown. Unlike most ant species, the pharaoh ant has as many as 200 queens living in its colonies. Their nests are tiny and may be located under stones, at the bottom of trash cans and even between sheets of paper. These ants are particularly common pests in hospitals.

Black Ants

• Black ants are one of the most common ants in Arizona and are frequent pests in kitchens and at picnics. They range in size from 1/16 of an inch to as large as 3/4 of an inch. Their bodies are solid black or very dark brown, and they do not bite. Black ants are primarily attracted to sugar and will swarm around even the smallest drop of a sugary substance.

Carpenter Ants

• Carpenter ants are occasionally confused with fire ants because of their painful bites. They inject formic acid into bite wounds, resulting in swelling and occasional infection. They come in a variety of colors, ranging from solid black to solid red, and some species may be some combination of red and black. They are named for their tendency to build nests in wood, and some species of carpenter ants have wings.

Harvester Ants

• Harvester ants have red heads and black or red bodies. Among the largest ant species in Arizona, they range in size from 1/2 inch to 1 inch. They grow wings during mating season and are frequently found eating decaying food in urban locations. They are capable of both biting and stinging, and their stings may cause swollen lymph nodes.