Sugar Ant Facts & Information

What Orkin Does

Proper identification of the species is critical to correctly managing any infestation. Unfortunately people often believe that all "sugar ants" are one type of pest and that a single strategy works for them all. When ants invade a home, it is best to contact a pest control professional to properly identify the ant and develop an effective management strategy.

Your local Orkin Pro is trained to help manage sugar ants and similar pests. Since every building or home is different, your Orkin Pro will design a unique ant treatment program for your situation. Orkin can provide the right solution to keep sugar ants in their place...out of your home, or business.

Appearance

Sugar ant is a common name that many people use to describe any small ant that is attracted to sweets. However, the sugar ant is actually the species Camponotus consobrinus.

• Size: Sugar ants range from 2 to 15 mm in size.

• Color: Winged male sugar ants with royal blood are completely black, while female workers have orange-colored bodies.

Habitat

Also known as the banded sugar ant, sugar ants prefer to live and forage for food in suburban areas. They like warm and humid climates.

In the wild, they typically dwell in forests, heaths, and woodlands found in or around:

• Holes in wood

• Rocks

• Soil

• The twigs of trees or shrubs

Diet

Sugar ants prefer honeydew from aphids and protect aphids from other predators to ensure the safety of their food source. These insects also feed on:

• Nectar

• Plant-eating invertebrates such as caterpillars

• Small animals

• Sugary foods

• Secretions of various plants

Reproduction

The eggs that queen sugar ants produce in late spring or early autumn can hatch into new queens or males. During autumn, thousands of alates mate in the air, while sugar ant workers keep guard on the ground.

More Information

The general public often uses the name "sugar ant" to describe many different species of ant. Any small to medium-sized ant which doesn’t sting is referred to by this name. Common examples these species are pharaoh ants, odorous house ants and acrobat ants.