Ants in Texas: Identification, Behaviors, and Control

Texas is home to over 270 species of ants, making them one of the most diverse and widespread insect groups in the state. While the majority of ant species in Texas are considered beneficial, several species can become serious household and agricultural pests. Learning to identify the most common ant species in Texas is an important first step in being able to manage ant problems.

Common Household Ants in Texas

The following are some of the most common nuisance ant species found in and around Texas homes:

Red Imported Fire Ants (Solenopsis invicta): One of the most problematic ant pests in Texas. Workers range from 1/16 to 3/16 inch long and have reddish-brown coloring. Build large mounds in lawns and gardens. Very aggressive; deliver a painful sting.

Carpenter Ants (Camponotus spp.): Large ants (1/4 to 1/2 inch long) that are black, brown, or a combination of black and red-orange. Nest in hollow wood. Do not sting but can inflict a painful bite.

Acrobat Ants (Crematogaster spp.): Medium-sized ants often mistaken for carpenter ants. Have heart-shaped abdomens they hold up when disturbed. Nest in trees and walls/insulation.

Pharaoh Ants (Monomorium pharaonis): Tiny yellowish ants about 1/32 inch long. Frequently nest indoors in cardboard, electrical boxes, potted plants. Attracted to sugary and high-protein foods.

Crazy Ants (Paratrechina and Nylanderia spp.): Very fast-moving ants with erratic movements. Often have hairy bodies. Nest indoors and outdoors.

Odorous House Ants (Tapinoma sessile): Medium-sized ants with a distinctive licorice-like odor. Attracted to sweets. Nest outdoors under objects and in wall voids.

Rover Ants (Brachymyrmex patagonicus): Tiny, dark ants that nest outdoors but enter homes attracted to sweets. Abundant along sidewalks and house edges.

Identification Tips

• Look for distinctive body regions – head, thorax, thin pedicel waist, large gaster abdomen Presence of pedicel indicates ant, not wasp

• Examine worker size – monomorphic (uniform) or polymorphic (varied sizes).

• Note color, abundance of hairs, presence of spines/sting, and odor.

• Observe nest shape, location, and number of entrances. Mounds? Cavities?

• Watch behavior – speed, trails, food carried, reaction to disturbance.

Beneficial Ants

Not all ants in Texas are pests. Many play important ecological roles:

• Harvester Ants: Collect and distribute seeds; aerate soil with extensive burrowing.

• Honeypot Ants Store liquid food in workers’ abdomens to share with colony,

• Leafcutter Ants: Prune plants and cultivate underground fungus gardens.

• Seed-dispersing Ants: Gather and bury seeds as food stores. Forgotten seeds germinate.

Ant Control Tips

• Seal cracks/entry points into homes using caulk and weather stripping. Trim vegetation touching structure.

• Clean up sugary spills and regularly remove trash/recycling. Store food in sealed containers.

• Apply residual sprays or granules around the home’s exterior perimeter. Use baits for indoor control.

• Treat mounds using drenches, granules, or boiling water (fire ants). Avoid disturbing nests.

• Hire a pest control professional for large infestations, nests inside walls, or if self-treatments fail.

Properly identifying the ants you see around your home and understanding their behaviors will help you know whether they are likely to cause problems or not. Implementing targeted control measures specific to each species is key to getting ant infestations under control. With persistence and vigilance, you can keep these ubiquitous insects from invading your Texas home.