Termites are often mistaken for ants. Ants have a thin "waist" and elbowed antennae; termites are straight-sided with straight antennae and wings twice their body length.
Signs to look for
- Trails along counters, walls and window sills
- Little piles of soil or wood dust
- Winged ants at windows
Why it matters
- Contaminate food and sterile areas (pharaoh ants in hospitals)
- Fire ants sting; carpenter ants hollow out damp wood
- Short out electrical boxes
Where they hide
- Wall and floor voids
- Potted plants
- Near warm pipes and appliances
- Under tiles and pavers
What you can do today
- Wipe trails with soapy water to erase the scent path
- Keep sugar and honey sealed
- Trim plants touching the walls
Ants worth telling apart
Crazy ant
Paratrechina longicornis
Runs in erratic zig-zags; nests in pots, wall voids and under tiles. Very common in Metro Manila homes.
Pharaoh ant
Monomorium pharaonis
Tiny and yellowish; a serious pest in hospitals and hotels. Sprays split the colony — only baits work.
Tropical fire ant
Solenopsis geminata
Red-brown, painful sting; mounds in lawns and around foundations, drawn to electrical boxes.
Ghost ant
Tapinoma melanocephalum
Dark head, pale body; trails to sweets in kitchens and bathrooms.
Carpenter ant
Camponotus spp.
Large black ants that hollow out damp wood; often found where termites have been.
Weaver ant
Oecophylla smaragdina
The "hantik" of mango trees; nests of stitched leaves, bites hard when disturbed.