Ants

Appearance Distinctive heart-shaped abdomen when viewed from above. 1/8- to 1/4-inch; black, dark brown, or red and black. Habitat Like carpenter ants, acrobat ants prefer to nest in moist or rotted wood. Colonies are most often found in tree holes, dead limbs and rotting areas in fences, decks and railings.

Appearance Brown to light brown; shiny. About 1/10-inch long. Habitat Argentine ant colonies live in moist areas near a food source, often in damp soil next to buildings, along sidewalks or beneath boards.

Appearance Light brown to dark reddish brown; 1/16- to 1/8-inch long. Habitat Big headed ants enter buildings occasionally, preferring to nest in protected soil such as under stones, leaf litter, mulch, patio blocks, slabs and firewood.

Appearance Among the largest of ants, 1/4- to 3/8-inch long. Color varies depending on species, from red to black or a combination. The most common species is black. Habitat Carpenter ants get their name because they excavate wood in order to build their nests, leaving hollowed-out tunnels.

Appearance Brown; about 1/8 inch long. Habitat Outdoors house ants’ nest in soil, often under objects such as loose bark, firewood or lumber. Indoors they nest in wall voids, especially around hot-water pipes and heaters, and in crevices around sinks and cupboards.

Appearance Dark brown to blackish; about 1/8 inch long. Habitat Pavement ants get their name because they make their nests in or under cracks in pavement.

Appearance Yellow to reddish; very small, 1/16- to 1/8-inch long. Habitat Pharaoh ants nest almost anywhere that provides protection.

Appearance Golden-yellow; one of the smallest ants, 1/16- to 1/8-inch long. Habitat Thief ants derive their name from their habit of establishing colonies close to other ants to steal their food, and even capture and eat other ants’ eggs and larvae.