Hobbies And Interests
Size
Colorado ants come in a variety of sizes. The largest of these are carpenter ants. Full-sized adults range from one-fourth to three-eighth inches long. Pavement ants are among the smallest. They only grow to about one-tenth of an inch long. Pharoah ants are another small species, growing to be only about one-sixteenth of an inch long, while field ants can grow to be one-third of an inch in length, making some members among the larger ants in the state.
Appearance
Just as Colorado ants come in many sizes, they also have a variety of appearances. Some, such as the odorous house ant, are entirely black. Members of Colorado's carpenter ants are also black, though some are black with a reddish-brown thorax. Western harvester ants are dark red all over, and pavement ants are dark brown. Pharoah ants, unlike any of these, are bright orange.
Nesting Habits
Each ant species in Colorado has its own behavior when making nest mounds. Western harvester ants are particularly unique in this respect. They build large mounds, 4 feet across and 2 to 10 inches high, and then remove all the plants immediately surrounding it. They then cover the mound with pebbles, rocks and similar items to keep the mound warm.
Pavement ants operate differently, building nests under pavement or rocks and leaving small mounds of soil as entrances. Pharoah ants, uniquely, have adapted to build complex nests in building frameworks and foundations.
Feeding Habits
Feeding habits also vary among Colorado ants. Pavement ants, for instance, prefer greasy foods overall, high-protein foods when their young are being raised, and sugary foods at other times of the year.
Field ants feed on a variety of foods, but prefer something very specific: sweet honeydew excreted by aphids and other assorted sweet materials.
Carpenter ants also like sweets, but feed on dead insects additionally.
Pharoah ants, like most ants, prefer sweets and often infest homes in search of cake, greasy foods, jellies, syrups and even pet food.