P.E.I. Pest Control

Ch'town: 902 894-9740 GET MY FREE ESTIMATE
  • Home
  • About us
  • Pest Information
    • Common Pests
    • Pests in focus
    • Solve Your Problem
  • Our Services
    • For Business Owners
    • For Home Owners
    • For Farm Operators
  • Industries
    • Tourism
    • Farming
    • Fishing
  • Contact
You are here: Home / Common Pests / Ants / Little Black Ant

Little Black Ant

Common Name: Little Black Ant
Scientific Name: Monomorium minimum (Buckley)
Class/Order/Family: Insecta/Hymenoptera/Formicidae
Metamorphosis: Complete

Introduction

little black antThis ant gets its name from its very small size and jet-black colouration. It is a native species and is found throughout the United States, especially in the eastern half of the United States, in the southern half of California, and the San Francisco Bay area.

Recognition

Workers monomorphic, about 1/16″ (1.5-2 mm) long; queens about twice as long. Color dark brown to black, typically black. Antenna 12-segmented, with 3-segmented club. Thorax lacks spines, profile unevenly rounded. Pedicel 2-segmented. Very similar to Pharoah ants, but little black ants are black instead of being yellowish to reddish. Stinger small and weak.

Similar Groups

1) Fire ants (Solenopsis spp.) Have antennae 10-segmented, with 2-segmented club, color not black. (2) Other small dark ants with only 1 node/segment in pedicel, or if with 2 nodes, then thorax with spines on upper surface.

Biology

Very little has been published on this ant. The colonies are moderate to large and contain many queens. Winged reproductive appear from June to August.

Habits

Inside, nests are located in woodwork, decaying wood, and masonry. They feed on grease, oil, meats, fruits, vegetable materials such as corn meal, and sweets. Outside, they nest under stones/rocks, in rotting logs, in lawns, or in open areas. The workers feed on other insects, honeydew, and plant secretion. They forage in trails which can commonly be seen on foundation walls and along sidewalks outside.

Control

Location of nest(s) and its treatment with a residual is ideal; try following ants back from the food source. Dusting the voids of outside ground-floor walls and infested interior walls along with barrier treatment is effective. Baiting may be necessary.

About Us

P.E.I. Pest Control is a local pest control company serving local people with a national presence. We have been in the industry serving people and businesses in Prince Edward Island since 1972.

Our Services

We work with business owners, home owners, farm operators and provide customised pest control solutions to keep your business, home and family protected from unwanted pests throughout the year.

Green Policy

We are environmentally responsible by using many non-chemical approaches to control pests, such as mechanical traps and sealants to prevent pests from entering and infesting your facility.

PEI Pest Control© 2025 -- Division of Orkin Canada