Little Black Ants In DC, MD & VA

Little Black Ants

The little black ant is a common structural pest found throughout Northern Virginia, Maryland, and Washington DC, as well as most of the rest of the United States, and Mexico. Colonies of little black ants may contain several queens, and can be heavily populated. Alates may swarm between June and August each year. The little black ant is common in wooded habitats. Most infestations originate from outdoors and can be traced to a stump, tree, log, fence, or a pile of lumber or bricks. They also nest in landscape mulch and under stones. Indoors, colonies may nest in the voids of walls and cabinets, as well as within and behind foundations and brick or stone veneer.

The little black ant feeds on insects, honeydew, plant exudates, pollen, bird feces, and may even kill hatchling birds. They may be able to eliminate small colonies of red imported fire ants. Indoors, little black ants feed on a variety of foods, including sweets, meats, grease, bread, oils, cornmeal, fruits, and fruit juices.

Little black ant workers are monomorphic, small ants, measuring 1.5 to 2 mm long, with a shiny, dark brown to black appearance. They have a two-segmented pedicel, and 12-segmented antennae with 3-segmented clubs on the antennae.