What Do Ants Look Like?
The New England area is home to several species of ants. The most common types are pavement and carpenter ants. Though they have the same segmented bodies and bent antennae, each of these pests has a unique shape, size, and color that will help you distinguish between them.
Some carpenter ants are all black, while others have a reddish-brown coloring. They have three distinct body segments with a narrow waist connecting their heads and abdomens. Pavement ants share a similar look, but their limbs are lighter in color. Additionally, the reproductive swarmer castes have the same features as workers, as well as two sets of wings.
How Big Are Ants?
Carpenter ants can grow to about one-quarter to one-half of an inch long, making them the biggest breed in North America. The winged members of each colony are the largest, reaching double the size of the other ants. Pavement ants are smaller, measuring only one-eighth of an inch in length.
Ant Photo Gallery
Some of these insects can burrow into wooden structures to make their nests, contaminate food, and even deliver painful bites. Recognizing the signs of an ant infestation can help you prevent these pests from wreaking havoc. Check out these photos for more information to help you identify what kind of ants you have in or around your home or business.
Common New England ant
Colony of ants
Close up of a winged carpenter ant
Carpenter ants
Extreme close up of a carpenter ant
Close up image of a sugar ant
Picture of a pavement ant
House ants
A cluster of fire ants
Infestation of ants