Ants.

[JasperFrank]

Doing all the tree/branch and stick clearing, yard by yard, I 'm getting a clearer idea of wildlife going on on the property. I found one area that has me fascinated, because it seems like the only area with lots of ants. Its an explosion of ants. Yet, it is a very small area, 400 by 400 feet or so. There are ants of course, spread out in little colonies all over, but this area, they are a riot. They cover every stick and every branch I remove and get all over me. I find two types. There are the usual little sugar ants, then there is these larger red ones, that bite. No sting, they just try and bite. I'm wondering if this a new non-native species, or something, and if I should do something about it while its in a small area using an insecticide. I'll try and get a pic up of the red colored ones.

 

[newbury]

Yet, it is a very small area, 400 by 400 feet or so.

That's about 4 acres.
"Very small" compared to what?
400 acres?

 

[Jstpssng]

^^^^
What he said. However, did you also notice aphids on the same buds? The aphids go for the sugar in the sap. Ants feed on the aphids.

 

[JasperFrank]

That's about 4 acres.
"Very small" compared to what?
400 acres?

Its a smaller, well defined area to me, with 20 acres. But the ants don't follow property lines. And they are also well established across the road into another property which I help cleared. Which I included in the 400 by 400. So, I wasn't that clear about that, sorry. The ants seem to cross the road in to these other areas with no issues. There are no aphids, I have seen. I think they are enjoying the sap of the fallen trees, but just here, for some reason. And maybe because there is a natural water spring.

 

[jyoutz]

Doing all the tree/branch and stick clearing, yard by yard, I 'm getting a clearer idea of wildlife going on on the property. I found one area that has me fascinated, because it seems like the only area with lots of ants. Its an explosion of ants. Yet, it is a very small area, 400 by 400 feet or so. There are ants of course, spread out in little colonies all over, but this area, they are a riot. They cover every stick and every branch I remove and get all over me. I find two types. There are the usual little sugar ants, then there is these larger red ones, that bite. No sting, they just try and bite. I'm wondering if this a new non-native species, or something, and if I should do something about it while its in a small area using an insecticide. I'll try and get a pic up of the red colored ones.

We have those red ants. Ours are called harvester ants. They are native, but I try to keep them away from the areas surrounding the house and outbuildings because as you say, they bite. I don’t know if yours are the same species, but your description sounds similar.

 

[oosik]

I have four types of ants, that I know of, around here. The tiny piss ants, the all black ants, the red and black ants and on really rare occasions -- a single big black carpenter ant. They are kept away from the house by the Diazonone I spread around the foundation.

Otherwise - I never have had any problems with ants and never have given it a second thought.

 

[jyoutz]

I have four types of ants, that I know of, around here. The tiny piss ants, the all black ants, the red and black ants and on really rare occasions -- a single big black carpenter ant. They are kept away from the house by the Diazonone I spread around the foundation.

Otherwise - I never have had any problems with ants and never have given it a second thought.

I thought that Diazonone was no longer sold.

 

[oosik]

You are right - jyoutz. I have a 15 pound bag that must be, at least, 20 years old. I sprinkle it, sparingly, around the house foundation. It still works.