It may surprise some, but tiny ants are becoming increasingly common in households nationwide.
Although these ants may be small, they can still cause big problems.
They can become a major pest if not dealt with properly.
In our blog post, we’ll discuss the tiny types of ants now found in homes, what attracts them, and how to get rid of them.
Keep reading to learn more about these tiny pests and how to protect your home from an infestation.
1. Thief Ant
Thief Ants are the first on our list of tiny types of ants. Act quickly if you suspect thief ants have invaded your home or business. Treating the affected area with liquid and dust insecticides should help eliminate the infestation.
You may also want to call a pest control professional for assistance in controlling and eliminating the problem. Thief ants are characterized by their tiny size, ranging from 2mm to 3mm long. Their most distinguishable feature is their black coloration and habit of “stealing” food from other ant colonies.
They do this by entering into other nests, taking away food, and leaving very few behind. In addition, they can produce a very strong odor as a defense mechanism against predators.
2. Sugar Ant
Sugar ants are also on our list of tiny types of ants. While they don’t pose any real health risks, they can be difficult to eliminate. Food should be sealed tightly, surfaces cleaned, and potential water sources such as leaky pipes or faucets should be addressed to prevent infestations.
If you have an infestation of sugar ants, professional pest control services may be necessary to eliminate them. Sugar tiny types of ants are characterized by their small size and light brown color.
They usually enter buildings through small cracks and crevices and look for sugary foods like honeydew from aphids, juices from overripe fruits, sweets, syrup, etc. As their name suggests, sugar ants love sugary substances and feed on them for energy. Once a food source is found, these tiny creatures will form a trail leading back to their nest, allowing their colony members to see the same sustenance.
3. Rover Ant
River tiny ants feed on sweet things like honeydew, which they harvest from plants and aphids, and greasy and fatty foods. They’re often found in kitchen pantries, drawers, and other areas where food may be stored.
Rover tiny types of ants are usually found in summer and tend to swarm. When they swarm, they can be especially hard to eliminate, as hundreds of ants will be looking for food at once.
If you suspect that you may have a rover ant infestation, it’s important to contact a professional pest control company as soon as possible. They’ll be able to inspect the area, identify the ant species, and develop a plan for removal and prevention.
4. Pharaoh Ant
What makes these little insects so difficult to manage is their nesting habits. Pharaoh ants often create nests within walls, behind baseboards, and inside furniture. This can make it difficult to locate the source of the infestation and harder to get rid of.
In addition to being incredibly hard to find and remove, Pharaoh’s tiny types of ants can also be very damaging. They have been known to spread harmful bacteria and can contaminate food sources by crawling on them. This can lead to serious health issues if not dealt with quickly.
Fortunately, there are ways to combat an infestation of Pharaoh ants. The best way to begin getting rid of them is to find and eliminate the source of the problem.
Spraying insecticides can also be effective, though using products specifically designed for ant control is important. Finally, baiting traps and using natural ant repellents can help keep these pests from returning.
5. Odorous Ant
These tiny ants are typically found nesting inside walls, under floors, and even in the middle of furniture. They are usually attracted to sweet foods and greasy materials. They can enter your home through small cracks and crevices in windows, doors, or even through the soil outside.
If you have odorous ants in your home, you should know that they can contaminate food and water sources. Their nests can grow rapidly and cover large areas if not dealt with quickly. It is best to contact a professional exterminator to get rid of them.
6. Little Black Ant
Little black ants are next on our list of tiny types of ants. The best way to get rid of little black ants is to use bait or traps that contain insecticides. It’s also important to eliminate potential food sources and seal off entry points around your home to prevent them from returning.
If you cannot control the ant population, you should call a professional exterminator for help. Before doing so, try these natural solutions first: Boil some water and pour it down each hole where you see the ants emerging. This will likely kill some of them while sending the others away to another nesting area.
You can also sprinkle talcum powder or borax on areas where you see the ants congregating. Both materials can act as barriers preventing further invasion by the tiny creatures.
Tiny ants are small but resilient, so combining multiple methods may be more effective than just one alone. Additionally, it’s important to ensure there’s no clutter around your house; even the smallest items may provide space for an ant colony to nest and grow bigger over time.
Furthermore, using airtight containers to store all food items will help protect against infestation. Wiping down counters after every meal and sweeping floors regularly will also help. Ant-baiting products may need to be combined with other techniques in cases of more severe infestations.
Several do-it-yourself ant-baiting products are available at local hardware stores, but they must be used correctly. Finally, if the problem persists after trying all these methods, consulting with an exterminator who can implement proper treatment solutions might be wise.
7. Ghost Ant
Though they are usually considered more of a nuisance than a threat, ghost ants can cause problems when they feed on foods meant for human consumption. Ghost-tiny ants prefer sweets such as honeydew from aphids or plants and proteins such as dead insects or other arthropods.
If ghost ants have made their way into your home, you may be able to get rid of them with the help of a professional exterminator or by using baits specifically designed to attract and kill them. Alternatively, you may also be able to get rid of them by vacuuming them up and then disposing of the vacuum bag contents.
Ghost ants are characterized by their small size (1.3 mm to 2 mm long) and pale yellow coloration. Their darker antennae and legs give them a “ghost-like” appearance. These tiny ants can enter homes through even the smallest cracks or gaps around doors and windows. Additionally, they are often transported indoors via potted plants, clothing, cardboard boxes, and other outdoor items.
8. Crazy Ant
If you spot crazy tiny types of ants on your property, it is important to take steps to eradicate them. They can spread quickly and cause significant damage to buildings and landscaping. If you think you may have a problem with crazy ants, it is best to contact a pest control specialist who can assess the situation and determine the best course of action.
Their large numbers and erratic movements characterize crazy ants, almost resembling dancing—hence their name. These tiny ants measure about one to five millimeters long and can vary in color from brownish-red to black. They feed on honeydew from sap-sucking insects like aphids, mealybugs and animal matter like insects and dead animals.
Unlike some other ant species, these tiny ants don’t sting or bite humans; however, they do get into homes and other structures through tiny cracks and crevices.
9. Caribbean Crazy Ant
When you think of tiny types of ants, most people picture small, reddish-brown creatures scurrying across the ground. However, a new kind of ant has become known in recent years—the Caribbean Crazy Ant (Paratrechina pubens).
These tiny, dark-colored insects are only about 2.5mm long and have very unusual behavior. Unlike other tiny ants, these crazy ants do not form nests or burrows. Instead, they wander in large swarms, often forming trails leading back to their food sources. This can make them hard to eliminate as they keep coming back.
Caribbean Crazy Ants also loves electrical outlets and other electronic equipment. They can build up an electric charge by touching wires, causing short circuits that damage electronics. If you find these tiny ants in your home, it’s best to call a professional exterminator to remove them.
10. Big-Headed Ant
These tiny ants feed on proteins such as small insects and larvae and sweet substances like nectar and honeydew.
They may also feed on stored foods, so it is important to ensure all food items are properly sealed and kept away from these pests.
11. Acrobat Ant
Lastly, on our list of tiny types of ants are Acrobat Ants. Native to North America, acrobat ants have recently made their way into homes and businesses nationwide. They prefer warm, moist climates and are often found near water sources, such as leaking pipes or faucets.
These tiny ants feed on various materials, including other insects, honeydew, plant sap, and proteins. In homes, they search for food in kitchen pantries, cupboards, and spills or crumbs.
Getting rid of acrobat ants can be difficult but not impossible. Start by eliminating sources of water and food. Keep kitchen areas clean and vacuum regularly. Caulk any cracks or crevices that could provide access to your home’s interior. You can also use bait and insecticides to help control the population.
