Ohio State University Extension Fact Sheet

Entomology

1991 Kenny Road, Columbus, Ohio 43210-1000

Small Honey Ant

HYG-2155-98

Common Name	Scientific Name
False Honey Ant	Prenolepis imparis (Say)
Small Honey Ant
Winter Honey Ant

Since the mid 1990s, several Ohio Pest Control Operators have reported an increase in complaints about small honey ants. This ant is sometimes misidentified as a pavement ant or odorous house ant. Small honey ants are "cold weather ants," beginning activity in Ohio as early as January and February. They forage along scent (pheromone) trails in kitchens and where there are food and beverages. Often, one may see numerous ants moving along a trail.

Identification

Small honey ant workers vary from light to dark brown, are shiny, have a triangular abdomen (the rear end of the three body regions) and are about 2-1/2 to 3 mm long. The triangular gaster (rear portion of the abdomen) is visibly wider than the head. When these ants are swollen (full of food), the gasters are greatly enlarged. The petiole, or waist beginning at the abdomen, has a single node (segment) compared to the pavement ant which has two nodes. Also, pavement ants are larger, three to four millimeters long, medium brown and have an oval-shaped gaster no wider than the head. In comparison to an odorous house ant when crushed, the small honey ant has no foul odor. (Crush a few specimens between your fingers and sniff the remains.) Also, examination under a microscope will reveal a small ring of hairs at the tip of the abdomen of the small honey ant. The odorous house ant has none.

Life Cycle and Habits

Small honey ants may nest inside homes throughout the winter. Some nest beneath slab foundations, entering structures through expansion joints and stress cracks and/or around heat registers. Others nest in structural voids around heat ducts, kitchen counter tops, etc. This cold weather ant begins activity above ground at temperatures just above freezing, reaching its foraging peak between 45 to 60°F. There is actually a decrease in the numbers of the small honey ant above ground at temperatures from 60 to 75°F. These ants move slowly at 32°F. and have no definite hibernation period. In contrast, small honey ants have a midsummer aestivation (dormancy during a warm or dry season) period of one to two months in which no ants appear above ground even with favorable temperatures. Adult male and female flights occur on the first warm spring days when many other ant species are finishing hibernation. Small honey ants favor high humidities of 80 to 100 percent and, during favorable temperatures, reach peak activity.

Control Measures

The best control measure to eliminate colonies of small honey ants indoors is the strategic placement of insecticide baits. A bait mixture of mint-apple jelly and boric acid (available commercially as Drax Ant Kil Gel®), put into straws, cut into one-inch sections and placed along trails, may destroy colonies within a few weeks. J.T. Eaton's Dr. Moss's Liquid Bait System® and other containerized sweet liquid or gel baits are also effective. To eliminate newly-emerged workers; use follow-up baiting in a few weeks. Some control success is achieved with hydramethylnon bait stations, but results may sometimes be inconsistent.

The application of residual insecticides, where the ant trails occur, often does not provide effective control. Suspected structural void and sub-slab colonies can be treated with appropriately labeled insecticide dusts or microencapsulated insecticides. However, it is more labor intensive than baits.

It may be possible to place baits containing honey, sugar, or very-ripe fruits on sticky rodent glue boards and effectively achieve control of the limited numbers of ants occurring during the winter months.

Nests located outdoors have a single entrance hole. One can apply a labeled insecticide emulsion or dust directly into the hole. Some prefer to apply a shovelful of moist soil over the entrance hole after application to prevent escape.

It is often best to employ the services of a licensed pest control operator, especially where nests are hard to find and effective control is needed quickly. Before using any insecticide, always read the label, follow directions and safety precautions.

NOTE: Disclaimer - This publication may contain pesticide recommendations that are subject to change at any time. These recommendations are provided only as a guide. It is always the pesticide applicator's responsibility, by law, to read and follow all current label directions for the specific pesticide being used. Due to constantly changing labels and product registrations, some of the recommendations given in this writing may no longer be legal by the time you read them. If any information in these recommendations disagrees with the label, the recommendation must be disregarded. No endorsement is intended for products mentioned, nor is criticism meant for products not mentioned. The author and Ohio State University Extension assume no liability resulting from the use of these recommendations.