Almost every day, I wake up and jump right into the world of Florida ants. So, I get to see firsthand how Florida’s unique climate creates the perfect environment for ants, especially large ones. If you’ve lived here long enough, you know that ants aren’t just an occasional nuisance; they’re a constant battle. The moment you think your home is secure, another colony finds its way inside.
Why Identifying Large Ants Matters
Many homeowners panic when they see a large ant scurrying across their floor, assuming the worst, termites, aggressive fire ants, or some mysterious species about to take over. The truth is, not all large ants are a problem, but some can cause real damage or even pose health risks. That’s why proper identification is key.
Some of the most frequent questions we hear from customers include:
What kind of ant is this?
Are large ants more dangerous than small ones?
Do they sting, or just bite?
Are they invading my home, or should I just leave them alone?
How do I get rid of them for good?
These are key questions, and I’ll guide you through the answers so you’ll be more aware of the situation.
Should You Be Worried About Large Ants?
That depends. Carpenter ants, for example, can weaken the wooden structures of your home over time, while fire ants are aggressive and deliver painful stings. On the other hand, some species, like harvester ants, play a significant role in Florida’s ecosystem and don’t typically invade homes.
Popular Large Ants in Florida: Species, Traits, and Facts
When it comes to large ants, a few stand out as the most famous. Some of these ants are harmless, while others can cause serious structural damage or pose a health risk. Being aware of which ants are a threat and which ones are just part of the Florida landscape can help you take the right steps to protect your home and family.
Carpenter Ants: The Silent Destroyers
If you spot a large black or red ant crawling around your home, there’s a good chance it’s a carpenter ant (Camponotus spp.). These ants range from 6 to 12 mm and are among the largest ants found in Florida. Unlike termites, they don’t eat wood, but they do tunnel through it, creating nests inside damp, decaying wood. Over time, this can weaken wooden structures, leading to costly repairs.
Where They Nest: Carpenter ants prefer rotting logs, wooden fences, attics, and wall voids. If your home has moist or water-damaged wood, you’re at a higher risk for an infestation.
Bite vs. Sting: They don’t sting, but they can bite if disturbed. While their bite is not venomous, their strong mandibles can break the skin.
Signs of an Infestation: If you notice small piles of wood shavings (frass) or hear faint rustling sounds in the walls, you may have carpenter ants.
Risk Level: 🛑 High – Can cause structural damage over time.
Bigheaded Ants: A Nuisance, Not a Threat
Photo Source -> University of Florida
Bigheaded ants (Pheidole spp.) get their name from their major worker caste, which features ants with oversized heads. They are medium size and vary in color from light to dark brown.
Where They Nest: These ants typically build small underground nests along sidewalks, driveways, and in yards. Inside homes, they may nest under floors or in wall voids.
Bite vs. Sting: They rarely bite or sting and are not aggressive.
Confused with Fire Ants: Because of their reddish-brown coloration, bigheaded ants are sometimes mistaken for fire ants. However, they lack aggressive behavior and painful sting.
Risk Level: 🟡 Low – Mainly a nuisance, but can invade homes.
Helpful Resource -> Big Red Ants In Florida
Acrobat Ants: The Flexible Fighters
Photo Sources -> Iowa State University
Acrobat ants (Crematogaster spp.) are named for their ability to raise their abdomen over their head when threatened—a defensive move that makes them look like little scorpions. These ants are light brown to black and relatively small (2.5–3 mm).
Where They Nest: Acrobat ants prefer trees, wood piles, and rotting logs, but they can also invade homes.
Bite vs. Sting: They can bite, but they are not aggressive and their bite is mild.
Confused with Carpenter Ants: Because they nest in wood, acrobat ants are sometimes mistaken for carpenter ants. However, they don’t cause significant structural damage.
Risk Level: ⚠️ Moderate – A nuisance, but not destructive.
Harvester Ants: Beneficial but Painful
Photo Source -> Alex Wild Photography
Harvester ants (Pogonomyrmex badius) are reddish and measure 5–10 mm. Unlike most nuisance ants, these ants play a vital role in Florida’s ecosystem by aiding in seed dispersal.
Where They Nest: They build large, crater-like mounds in sandy areas and prefer open, sunny spaces.
Bite vs. Sting: They do not bite, but their sting is painful and can cause an allergic reaction.
Home Invasions: Harvester ants do not typically invade homes but may be found near gardens or lawns.
Risk Level: 🟢 Low – Beneficial to the environment but can sting if disturbed.
Tawny Crazy Ants: The Electrical Nightmare
Photo Source: Mississippi Entomological Museum
Tawny crazy ants (Nylanderia fulva) are small (2.5–3 mm) and are named for their erratic, unpredictable movement patterns. These ants do not follow straight trails like other species, making them easy to recognize.
Where They Nest: They prefer moist environments, including under rocks, in rotting wood, and inside electrical equipment.
Bite vs. Sting: They do not sting, but they bite. Their bites are mild compared to fire ants.
Damage to Electronics: Tawny crazy ants are notorious for invading electrical boxes, air conditioning units, and circuit breakers, causing short circuits and expensive repairs.
Difficult to Control: Traditional ant baits are ineffective against these ants, making professional ant control the best solution.
Risk Level: ⚡ High – Causes electrical damage and is difficult to eliminate.
How to Prevent & Get Rid of Large Ants
Dealing with large ants in Florida isn’t just about reacting when you see them—it’s about prevention. In my years at Hoffer Pest Solutions, I’ve learned that the best way to keep ants out is by stopping them before they get inside. Once they establish a nest in or around your home, getting rid of them becomes much harder. Here’s what you need to do.
Seal Entry Points in Your Home
Ants are master infiltrators. They can enter through the smallest cracks, gaps around windows and doors, or even tiny openings in your foundation. Carpenter ants, in particular, find their way into damp, decaying wood, making homes with moisture issues even more vulnerable.
✅ How to keep them out:
Inspect your home’s foundation, windows, doors, and utility openings for cracks and seal them with caulk or weather stripping.
Replace rotting wood around your home to prevent carpenter ants from nesting inside.
Keep tree branches and bushes trimmed away from your house, so ants don’t use them as bridges to get in.
✅ How to reduce attractants:
Store all food in airtight containers—especially sweets, greasy foods, and pet food.
Wipe down countertops, sweep floors, and clean up spills immediately.
Take out the trash regularly and keep garbage bins sealed with tight-fitting lids.
Fix leaks under sinks and around appliances—moisture attracts ants just as much as food.
Use Bait and Professional Pest Control for Infestations
If you already have an ant problem, DIY sprays won’t cut it. Many homeowners make the mistake of using over-the-counter ant sprays, which only kill visible ants while leaving the colony intact. This often makes the problem worse, as colonies send out new foragers to replace the ones that were killed.
✅ Best treatment options:
Baiting is the most effective method—worker ants carry the poison back to the colony, eliminating it at the source.
Different species respond to different baits—fire ants, for example, require specialized treatments.
Some ants, like tawny crazy ants, don’t respond well to traditional baits at all, making professional pest control the best option.
At Hoffer Pest Solutions, we use targeted baiting techniques and eco-friendly treatments to eliminate large ant infestations without unnecessary chemicals. If you’re struggling to control ants in your home, our family-owned team is here to help.
📞 Call us at (954) 590-0477
🌐 Visit us online at www.hofferpest.com