Here in parts of Sarasota and Charlotte County Big-Headed Ants have been able to thrive and grow to epic proportions in and under resident’s homes. They are commonly mistaken for Fire Ants because of their mounding / excavating tendencies outside along drive and walkways. These polymorphic ants have funny looking soldiers that have large heads, thus the name. Make no mistake, that large head packs a huge set of mandibles that can bite and hold on to anyone threatening their colony. Finding their way into homes via cracks in caulk or grout, they can appear in one room and then disappear quickly and resurface in other rooms. This is the result of a large ant infestation that stretches underneath the entire concrete slab.
Big-Headed Ants can nest virtually anywhere as seen below in my back yard video, but prefer to be located underground. With a variety of seasonal tastes, they can find happiness in sweets and proteins depending on what time of year it is:
