Ants are a nuisance to many homeowners, and most people don’t hesitate to turn to local exterminators to get rid of them. However, when comparing red and black ants, these insects may have more than meets the eye. Red ants have a completely different personality than any species of black ants, and both have very different reasons for entering a home, regardless of the season. It might seem like the only difference between the two is color, but they can vary in size, damage level, and even aggression. See what exactly awaits you when you see the next red or black ant.
Comparison of red and black ants
In this table, we have covered some of the main differences between black and red ants. Although there is only one species of red ant, the fire ant, there are 24 different species of black ants. Some types of black ants include:
- Black garden ant (or common black ant). This ant is often glossy black in color, although the queen of the colony may have a slight brown tint.
- Carpenter ants. Carpenter ants come in a variety of colors, but they have a blackish tint. In spring they come in flocks and often nest inside the buildings in which they live.
- Sugar ants. Sugar ants are off-black, with a yellow body in the middle. They will not bite, but they will bite, and they will seek out sweet foods to eat.
- Odorous house ants. These ants can be black or brown and usually live around houses. During the warmer months, they make their mark by flooding homes to eat sugary food sources and dead insects.
| Red ant | Black ant | |
|---|---|---|
| The size | Less than half an inch | 1.5 mm to 2 inches |
| Preferred habitat | Open and sunny areas such as meadows, playgrounds, golf courses and other lawns. | Under rocks, in houses, under logs and other shelters, in cracks in cement, in gardens, on lawns. |
| Life span | 2-6 years for queens, less than six months for workers. | 5 years or more |
| Temperament | Aggressive towards prey | Non-aggressive |
| Sting | Yes | No |
5 key differences between red ants and black ants
Ants generally have the same shape (with some variations), and they all build colonies, which are led by a queen. However, knowing the difference can help you determine the level of threat when you encounter them outside or inside your home.
1. Red and black ants: color and size
The obvious physical difference between black and red ants is their color. Red ants, also known as fire ants, range in color from reddish brown to reddish black, as the name suggests. They come in a variety of sizes, but typically from 1/8 “to 1/4” in length.
Black ants, since there are about two dozen species, can vary in size. While small black ants can be as little as 4.5mm, the world record is two inches long.
2. Red ants versus black ants: a threat to living things
Perhaps the most noticeable difference in behavior between red and black ants is how they interact with humans. When a black ant is around people, they usually leave them alone. They are more concerned with their nest and the task at hand than bothering people.
On the other hand, the red ant is the only ant that attacks its prey by biting it. Moreover, once they are hooked on it, they release toxins and sting their prey. The only time you can catch a black ant bite is if you scare it, but sometimes it splashes acid on the wound (which is much less painful than a fire ant bite).
3. Red ants versus black ants: a threat to the environment.
While red ants are clearly more destructive to humans and their prey than they are around them, black ants tend to be more annoying than harmful to humans. When a red ant invades a home, it looks for prey and can cause some damage to the people and people living inside. For the most part, they prefer to live outdoors in soil.
Black ants make up over 20 different species of ants, but the main reason they enter a home is to seek out food sources. This is why they can often be found in the kitchen when crumbs and spills don’t clean up quickly. They will even create houses in the walls and voids in the ceiling to create a neighboring house to have access to food.
4. Red and black ants: species variations.
There are currently about 24 species of black ants, and none of them are considered aggressive or violent. Some of the common ants include carpenter ants, sugar ants, and common black ants. However, each species is mostly harmless.
Interestingly, there is only one species of red ants, the imported red fire ant, and it is very aggressive.
5. Red ants versus black ants: diet
Different species of black ants differ in their diet, but they are mostly omnivorous. Some of the foods they will eat include vegetables, sweet fruits, cornmeal, plant juice, and even candy. However, they will also hunt fleas and other insects for food.
The red ant, or fire ant, is also an omnivorous animal, but prefers to eat spiders, arthropod eggs, earthworms and other insects. However, they will eat honeydew and other sugary foods as well as seeds.
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