Characteristics
- Size: Workers of this species measure about three-eighths of an inch in length.
- Color: Red head and thorax with black abdomen
- Behavior: The name of this ant derives from the way it constructs mounds, which usually measure up to three feet in diameter. The large mounds have resulted in occasional “fire ant scares” in northern states, although the Allegheny mound ant cannot sting. The ants feed on insects and the sweet honeydew produced by aphids and similar insects.
Habitats
Allegheny mound ants are found throughout the upper Midwest and northeast United States. They are typically seen in yards located next to fields or wooded areas.
Tips for Control
Allegheny mound ants do not invade houses, but their large mounds can make lawns unattractive. Typically, individual mounds will require direct treatment with an appropriately labeled pest control product.
