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Bigheaded ant on a white background - Ant control with City Termite & Pest Control in Malvern, AR

Bigheaded Ant

Actual Size: 1.5 to 4.5 mm

Characteristics: Their most distinctive feature is their oversized, heart-shaped head, particularly noticeable in worker ants. They display a variety of colors, ranging from dark brown to shades of red, and even light yellow.

Legs: 6

Antennae: Yes

Wings: The reproductive males and females have wings.

Habitat: Prefer to establish their nests close to water sources. In outdoor settings, they often build beneath boards, stones, or near the bases of shrubs. Indoors, they are known to nest within wall voids and insulation materials.

Habits: 

  • These ants are known for constructing mud tubes similar to those made by subterranean termites, which can easily lead to confusion.
  • Their large jaws are not just for show, they use them effectively to break down seeds and other food sources for the colony.
  • They form extensive colonies that can grow significantly large, containing numerous nests and multiple queens.


Bigheaded Ants in Central Arkansas

Bigheaded ants are regarded as one of the most challenging invasive species worldwide due to their ability to reproduce throughout the year. They are notorious for constructing vast underground nests that extend across lawns and landscapes, often displacing soil and causing it to surface through cracks in driveways, patios, and near building foundations. These ants are adept at building their nests in close proximity to structural foundations, where they create mud tubes mistaken for termite activity.

Bigheaded Ant Habitat

Typically nesting in soil, bigheaded ants thrive on a diet comprising small insects and the sweet honeydew they extract from their surroundings. Their nests are frequently found in disturbed habitats such as driveways and lawns but can also be located in leaf litter, stacked firewood, along fences, and even within building walls. Infestations often start outdoors or beneath slab foundations, with potted plants being a common medium for these ants to infiltrate indoor environments.

Bigheaded Ant Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

While they generally do not bite unless provoked, and their bites are relatively harmless, bigheaded ants are considered a significant nuisance. They are known to create unsightly piles of dirt and sand and are often found foraging in kitchens, bathrooms, and around household entry points such as doors and windows. These ants are particularly problematic near home structures, ornamental plants, and walkways. In commercial settings, they can become a severe issue, with reports of large numbers of both live and dead ants being a common complaint. Eliminating a bigheaded ant infestation requires addressing the entire supercolony, as partial treatments will not suffice.

If you suspect a bigheaded ant issue, it is best to contact a professional ant exterminator.