{"id":2633,"date":"2022-07-31T07:00:15","date_gmt":"2022-07-30T23:00:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/?p=2633"},"modified":"2023-09-19T20:12:23","modified_gmt":"2023-09-19T12:12:23","slug":"what-are-moisture-ants","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/what-are-moisture-ants\/","title":{"rendered":"What Are Moisture Ants?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Moisture ants refer to a number of ant species in the <em>Lasius<\/em> and <em>Acanthomyops<\/em> genera. These ants get their name from their attraction to moist environments and need for plenty of water to survive. They\u2019re also notorious for being <a href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/do-ants-eat-wood\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"2574\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">wood-infesting ants<\/a> which specifically target damp or rotting wood for nesting.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this article, we\u2019ll look into how to identify moisture ants, learn their nesting habits, determine if they\u2019re dangerous, understand what they do as wood-infesting ants, and finally look at ways to prevent moisture ant infestation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_64 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-light-blue ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/what-are-moisture-ants\/#Identifying_Moisture_Ants\" title=\"Identifying Moisture Ants\">Identifying Moisture Ants<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/what-are-moisture-ants\/#Where_Do_Moisture_Ants_Nest\" title=\"Where Do Moisture Ants Nest?\">Where Do Moisture Ants Nest?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/what-are-moisture-ants\/#Are_Moisture_Ants_Dangerous\" title=\"Are Moisture Ants Dangerous?\">Are Moisture Ants Dangerous?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/what-are-moisture-ants\/#Signs_of_Moisture_Ant_Infestation\" title=\"Signs of Moisture Ant Infestation\">Signs of Moisture Ant Infestation<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/what-are-moisture-ants\/#How_To_Prevent_Moisture_Ant_Infestation\" title=\"How To Prevent Moisture Ant Infestation\">How To Prevent Moisture Ant Infestation<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/what-are-moisture-ants\/#How_To_Get_Rid_Of_Moisture_Ants\" title=\"How To Get Rid Of Moisture Ants\">How To Get Rid Of Moisture Ants<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/what-are-moisture-ants\/#Related_Questions\" title=\"Related Questions\">Related Questions<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/what-are-moisture-ants\/#Do_Moisture_Ants_Fly\" title=\"Do Moisture Ants Fly?\">Do Moisture Ants Fly?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/what-are-moisture-ants\/#Are_Moisture_Ants_The_Same_As_Sugar_Ants\" title=\"Are Moisture Ants The Same As Sugar Ants?\">Are Moisture Ants The Same As Sugar Ants?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/what-are-moisture-ants\/#Are_Ants_Attracted_To_Water\" title=\"Are Ants Attracted To Water?\">Are Ants Attracted To Water?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/what-are-moisture-ants\/#Summary_What_Are_Moisture_Ants\" title=\"Summary: What Are Moisture Ants?\">Summary: What Are Moisture Ants?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Identifying_Moisture_Ants\"><\/span>Identifying Moisture Ants<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As wood-infesting ants, moisture ants are usually mistaken for the more notorious carpenter ants. They are, however, very much different. Unlike the big, typically reddish to black carpenter ants, moisture ants are small (around 3-5 mm long) and are usually yellow to dark brown in color. Furthermore, moisture ant workers have notched thoracic dorsums (upper surface of the thorax) while carpenter ant workers have rounded ones (see images below).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"567\" src=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/what-are-moisture-ants-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2641\" srcset=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/what-are-moisture-ants-2.jpg 800w, https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/what-are-moisture-ants-2-300x213.jpg 300w, https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/what-are-moisture-ants-2-768x544.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption>&nbsp;<a class=\"external text\" href=\"http:\/\/www.antweb.org\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\u00a9 AntWeb.org<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"567\" src=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/what-are-moisture-ants-3-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2643\" srcset=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/what-are-moisture-ants-3-1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/what-are-moisture-ants-3-1-300x213.jpg 300w, https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/what-are-moisture-ants-3-1-768x544.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption>April Nobile&nbsp;\/&nbsp;<a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"http:\/\/www.antweb.org\" target=\"_blank\">\u00a9 AntWeb.org<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Another way to identify moisture ants is through the citrus or citronella-like smell they emit when crushed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Where_Do_Moisture_Ants_Nest\"><\/span>Where Do Moisture Ants Nest?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As mentioned, moisture ants like to nest in moist environments. Outdoors, this could be under rocks, logs, or any wooden structures close to moist soil. These structures include house foundations, wooden steps, or beams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Indoors, they\u2019ll nest anywhere with water leaks including bathrooms, basements, roofs, walls, and crawl spaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_Moisture_Ants_Dangerous\"><\/span>Are Moisture Ants Dangerous?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Moisture <a href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/are-ants-dangerous\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"2235\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ants aren\u2019t known to be aggressive<\/a> and will only ever bite when they\u2019re threatened and feel the need to defend themselves. Even then, their bites are pretty painless and in the worst case will only cause mild irritation, redness, and itching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Overall, moisture ants are more of a nuisance than a danger. For example, these ants are attracted to sweet sugary foods and won\u2019t hesitate to invade kitchens and pantries. The main concern with these ants, however, is the fact that they\u2019re wood-infesting insects. They excavate to nest in moist or rotten wood which in consequence speeds up the decaying process. When left unchecked, moisture ants may cause structural weakness and eventually, damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That said, they aren\u2019t actually wood destructive as they don\u2019t infest dry wood and are pretty much harmless in other circumstances. Think of them as a symptom to underlying moisture problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Signs_of_Moisture_Ant_Infestation\"><\/span>Signs of Moisture Ant Infestation<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Moisture ant damage\" width=\"720\" height=\"405\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Dz7lZGSD-yo?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Moisture ants aren\u2019t the only wood-infesting insects. As mentioned earlier, moisture ants are commonly mistaken for the more destructive carpenter ants and aside from those, there are also the velvety tree ants and other insects such as termites, bees, and certain species of beetles. With all these insects, it may prove difficult to pinpoint a moisture ant infestation. Fortunately, they do leave signs that differentiate them from the rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For one, moisture ants leave cone-shaped piles of trash called frass outside nest openings or unused nest chambers. Such frass is a key indicator of ant infestation and differentiates them from termites which instead leave fecal pellets from consumed and digested wood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As for how they\u2019re different from other ants, moisture ants produce crumbly, carton-like galleries made of soil and their own secretions while carpenter ants and the others produce clean and smooth galleries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Finally, the last sign would be the ants themselves. Small yellow ants around wood or areas of moisture would be the most obvious sign of moisture ant infestation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_To_Prevent_Moisture_Ant_Infestation\"><\/span>How To Prevent Moisture Ant Infestation<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To prevent moisture ant infestation it\u2019s important to understand that they are only a symptom to underlying moisture or water issues. Again, these ants aren\u2019t exactly wood destructive and will only ever target already damaged wood. So the key to preventing them is preventing wood from getting damaged by moisture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Therefore, be sure to inspect and correct any leaks or moisture problems in and around the property. Leaking roofs, basements, and drainage issues may all cause moisture ant infestation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Also make sure to repair or replace any water-damaged, moist, or already decaying wood to remove potential nesting sites. If you live or have property in humid areas, use treated wood that\u2019s less susceptible to decay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_To_Get_Rid_Of_Moisture_Ants\"><\/span>How To Get Rid Of Moisture Ants<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Following the preventative measures discussed is usually enough to get rid and prevent moisture ants. In fact, the use of chemical insecticides is rarely recommended for moisture ant control. It is only when infestations are severe and that the ants have indeed become a nuisance that these chemicals become necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In such cases, you will need to use insecticides such as baits and aerosols. Ant baits are made of a mixture between toxic matter and food that\u2019s attractive to ants. They do well for infestations in out-of-reach areas as the ants themselves would take the bait to their nests and eventually pass the toxin to the queen. Moisture ants are specifically attracted to sweet liquids, so consider <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3OFxSi4\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3OFxSi4\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">sugar-based baits<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Another way would be to apply insecticides directly into the moisture ant\u2019s nest. For this you may use insecticide dust, aerosol, or foam and apply or inject any to both the interior and exterior perimeter of the nest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For large and inaccessible infestations consider calling for professional help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Related_Questions\"><\/span>Related Questions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/do-ants-eat-wood-4.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2581\" srcset=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/do-ants-eat-wood-4.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/do-ants-eat-wood-4-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/do-ants-eat-wood-4-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption><a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Citronella_Ants_-_Lasius_umbratus,_Green_Ridge_State_Forest,_Flintstone,_Maryland.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Judy Gallagher<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CC BY 2.0<\/a>, via Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_Moisture_Ants_Fly\"><\/span>Do Moisture Ants Fly?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes, some moisture <a href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/do-ants-have-wings\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"2501\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ants can fly<\/a>. Moisture ants have winged reproductive ants, meaning male and queen moisture ants grow wings and are capable of flight. These winged reproductive ants fly out of their nests at certain times of the year to participate in the nuptial flight wherein they swarm and mate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_Moisture_Ants_The_Same_As_Sugar_Ants\"><\/span>Are Moisture Ants The Same As Sugar Ants?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>No, moisture ants are not the same as sugar ants. While both are greatly attracted to sweets, sugar ants are generally smaller and don\u2019t have the same penchant for water as moisture ants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_Ants_Attracted_To_Water\"><\/span>Are Ants Attracted To Water?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes, <a href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/are-ants-attracted-to-water\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"71\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ants are attracted to water<\/a> as they are to other substances or materials they need to survive. Ants need water for their bodies to properly function and without it they eventually dry out and die.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Summary_What_Are_Moisture_Ants\"><\/span>Summary: What Are Moisture Ants?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To summarize, moisture ants are a group of small, yellowish ants from the <em>Lasius<\/em> and <em>Acanthomyops<\/em> genera that are highly attracted to water and high-moisture environments. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They\u2019re known to be wood-infesting ants which specifically nest in water-damaged or rotting wood. In doing so, they accelerate the decaying process of wood and when left unchecked, will eventually cause structural damage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, it\u2019s worth noting that moisture ants are only destructive towards wet wood and are in fact harmless otherwise. As such, these ants work as signals for underlying water issues.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Moisture ants refer to a number of ant species in the Lasius and Acanthomyops genera. These ants get their name from their attraction to moist environments and need for plenty of water to survive. They\u2019re also notorious for being wood-infesting ants which specifically target damp or rotting wood for nesting.&nbsp; In this article, we\u2019ll look&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":2640,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2633"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2633"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2633\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3725,"href":"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2633\/revisions\/3725"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2640"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2633"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2633"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2633"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}