Do you know the different ants species? What is the difference  between red ants versus black ants? It seems like some of us will treat and react differently when we come across a red or a black ant separately.

Usually, a red ant will garner a more fearful reaction, and they are treated with more cautious, knowing that a red ant bite can sting pretty badly as compared to a black ant sting. The colour red signifies danger, and raise alertness among people.

Well, apart from just colours, ants are technically categorized into different species under each of these colours.
For example, the Pharaoh’s ant belongs to the red colour ant and the crazy ant belongs to the black ant category. Here are some differences of red ants vs black ants:

Red Ants

• The common red ants are fiercer and more aggressive than black ants
• Their bites usually sting more
• The fire ants is one red ant species you will very much like to avoid, especially since it can deliver an awful painful sting with one bite!

Black Ants

• Black ants are less aggressive in general, unless provoked
• They do not bite, unless being put in danger
• Typical black ant species in Singapore include the carpenter ants, crazy ants and ghost ants (also known as sugar ants, although their bodies are half black and half transparent at the back)

Where are these ants found?

Do ants have a nest? The answer is yes. Ants, regardless of their colours, red, black or brown have a nest they go back to. You’ll be surprised at how big an ant colony can get, because at most times, the nest is out of your view. Unless, you have trained eyes of a pest control expert, an ant nest is not easy to locate.

Fact we bet you do not know: A single mega colony of ants spreads across Europe, the west coast of the United States, and the west coast of Japan!

While black ants like carpenter ants and crazy ants prefer damp and moist areas, the ghost ants are largely household pests found in high moisture areas such as kitchens as they prefer sweet and sugary food. Some of the common red ants in Singapore such as Pharaoh’s ant feeds indoors, thereby nesting almost anywhere indoors i.e. behind a stack of newspapers. The fire ants nest outdoors with its nest mound going up to 40 cm! Read more on how to get rid of ants.

The common misunderstanding around ‘white ants’

Some  perceive ‘white ants’ as ants. What is the great misunderstanding concerning white ants all about? To resolve this misunderstanding, these white ants we are talking about here are actually termites. Yes, termites! Termites can be commonly misunderstood as ants in some ways as they look similar in appearances.

Ant has a more clinched waist versus a termite which has a thicker waist. Another quick way to identify is, an ant has a bent antenna versus a termite which has straight antennas.

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