12 Common Types of Ants (and How to Get Rid of Them)
1. Cornfield ants
2. Pavement ants
3. Yellow ants
4. Allegheny mound ants
5. Crazy ants
6. Fire ants
7. Carpenter ants
8. Acrobat ants
9. Thief ants
10. Odorous house ants
11. Argentine ants
12. Pharaoh ants
1. Cornfield ants
Cornfield ants, brown bugs found outdoors, rarely nest indoors. They prefer fields, feed on dead bugs and sweets.
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Nests: Crater-like, near bricks, stones, pavement cracks, rotting logs.
Dangers: Scavenge for sweets, can bite but less aggressive.
Control tips: Pour boiling water on mound, apply diatomaceous earth.
2. Pavement ants
One of the most not unusual kinds of ants that you may stumble upon is the pavement ant. These tiny creatures are generally observed nesting below sidewalks, driveways, and in cracks or gaps in pavement. Identifying pavement ants is rather smooth, as they’re darkish brown to black in coloration and degree around 1/eight inch in length.
Pavement ants are known for their scavenging conduct and are interested in quite a few meals resources, inclusive of crumbs, sugary materials, and even puppy meals left outside. They are especially adaptable and might establish their colonies in both city and suburban areas.
To efficaciously eliminate pavement ants, it is essential to goal their nests. You can do this through following their trails and locating their access points into your private home or building. Once found, the use of a combination of bait and insecticide remedies can show to be an powerful method.
Baits particularly designed for pavement ants are quite simply to be had within the market. These baits incorporate sluggish-performing pesticides that the ants convey back to their nests, in the end casting off the whole colony. It’s vital to region the bait close to their entry points and along their foraging trails to maximize effectiveness.
In addition to baiting, sealing any cracks or gaps in pavement or foundations can help save you destiny infestations. This denies the ants smooth get right of entry to to your own home and decreases the chance of them organising nests inside the first region. Regularly cleaning up meals spills, preserving your home tidy, and well storing meals can also discourage pavement ants from being attracted for your living area.
3. Yellow ants
Additionally known as basis ants, bigger yellow ants are pale tan or orange with small, beady eyes. One other frequent identify is the citronella ant as a result of the employees have a lemon-like scent when crushed. The employee ants feed on honeydew and are most energetic at night time.
Nests: Bigger yellow ants create nests within the soil beneath logs, rocks, patio blocks, porches, concrete patios, and in open areas. These ants might excavate massive quantities of filth as they construct their nests.
Dangers: These bugs might transfer indoors for non permanent winter housing within the basement. Understand that bigger yellow ants will hardly ever enter your own home, as they like to nest outdoor. Yellow ants sometimes don’t forage for meals in the home however might create piles of filth close to their indoor nest entrance. These ants normally return outdoor in early spring.
Bigger yellow ants don’t chew, nor have they got a stinger. These bugs could be a nuisance after they swarm collectively in massive numbers, which might occur at any time of yr. Bigger yellow ants trigger little injury, however their presence indoors could be an annoyance.
Management ideas: Vacuum or sweep up any ants discovered indoors. Should you find their non permanent indoor nest, the Iowa State College Extension and Outreach recommends that you simply spray the nest with an indoor ant insecticide.
4. Allegheny mound ants
Allegheny mound ants have a reddish head and thorax. The stomach and legs are between darkish brown and black.
Nests: These ants have a fame for constructing a somewhat notable anthill mound. As their tunnels lengthen deep into the bottom, a 5-month-previous Allegheny ant mound might develop to 2 ft huge and eight inches tall, in accordance to the School of Agriculture, Meals and Atmosphere on the College of Kentucky. At 2 years previous, the mound can attain 3 ft excessive.
Dangers: Allehgeny mound ants might inject formic acid into crops close to their mounds. They will even kill small bushes and shrubs inside 50 ft of a big mound. If Allegheny mound ants set up an anthill in your yard, they could kill any surrounding grass. These ants can chew if disturbed.
Management: The School of Agriculture, Meals, and Atmosphere on the College of Kentucky suggests making use of a residual insecticide to the mound. Earlier than making use of the insecticide, the school recommends scraping away the highest of the hill with a shovel to expose the tunnels beneath.
Keep in mind to defend your self by sporting lengthy pants tucked into socks. Allegheny mound ants will doubtless come out swarming when their nest is disturbed. After opening the mound, pour the right amount of resolution in accordance to the directions on the insecticide label.
5. Crazy ants
Crazy ants, scientifically called Nylanderia genus, are small bugs which can be infamous for his or her erratic and unpredictable conduct. These ants get their name from their brief and erratic actions, making them appear “loopy” as they scurry around in no particular pattern.
Identifying crazy ants may be a bit hard as they carefully resemble different ant species. However, there are some distinguishing traits that permit you to discover them. Crazy ants are generally reddish-brown or black in shade and feature a slim frame. They are approximately 1/eight inch to 1/4 inch long and have lengthy legs and antennae. One particular feature of crazy ants is that they lack a stinger, which units them apart from other ant species.
When it involves their nesting conduct, loopy ants may be found each indoors and outdoors. They generally build nests in moist areas inclusive of under rocks, logs, or interior tree cavities. In city environments, they could set up colonies in wall voids, electrical equipment, or maybe in potted flowers.
Eliminating crazy ants can be quite a task because of their huge colony sizes and speedy duplicate prices. Traditional ant baits won’t be as effective against loopy ants, as they have got a preference for sugary and oily ingredients in preference to protein-based baits. However, there are a few powerful methods to govern and do away with loopy ants.
One powerful approach is to locate and cast off the nesting web sites. By doing away with capability nesting areas and sealing off entry points, you may lessen the chances of loopy ants invading your private home. Additionally, using non-repellent pesticides may be powerful as they permit the ants to hold the insecticide again to their colony, in the end doing away with the whole populace.
Prevention is likewise key in handling loopy ants. By preserving your surroundings clean, removing meals sources, and fixing any moisture issues, you can make your own home less appealing to these ants. Regularly examining your private home and addressing any capacity entry points also can assist in preventing loopy ant infestations.
Dangers: Whereas loopy ants don’t chew or sting, these ants might stop you from having fun with time in your yard. In accordance to the Extension at Alabama A&M and Auburn Universities, tawny loopy ants have massive colonies with worker ants sometimes numbering in the millions. Tawny loopy ants could be difficult to management due to their inhabitants measurement, and so they can develop their location by 800 to 1,300 ft per yr.
6. Fireplace ants
Fire ants are infamous for his or her aggressive behavior and painful stings, making them a common nuisance in many areas. These ants are normally reddish-brown in color and range in length from 1/8 to at least one/four inch in period. They are often determined in huge colonies, with a couple of queens and lots of employee ants.
Identifying fire ants may be quite easy, as they typically build huge mounds in open regions such as lawns, gardens, or close to sidewalks. These mounds can be as much as 18 inches in diameter and are characterised by using unfastened soil and a important beginning in which ants enter and exit.
Fireplace ant colonies consist of varied sized ants, together with the queen, sterile feminine staff, winged males, and winged females. These ants are so aggressive and such a nuisance that the USDA has designated quarantined areas to assist management the unfold of the invasive species.
When it comes to putting off fire ants, it is essential to proceed with warning. Their competitive nature means they may shield their colony vigorously if disturbed. There are numerous effective methods to govern fire ants, relying at the severity of the infestation.
One not unusual technique is to apply insecticidal baits in particular formulated for fireplace ants. These baits are sprinkled across the mound, and the employee ants deliver the poison lower back to the colony, correctly disposing of the complete populace. It’s crucial to follow the instructions carefully and practice the bait while the ants are actively foraging.
Another technique is to apply insecticidal sprays or dusts immediately on the mound. This method objectives the visible colony, killing the ants on contact. However, it could no longer take away the complete colony, as fire ant colonies can extend deep underground. Repeat programs may be vital to attain complete eradication.
For people who prefer herbal or natural techniques, boiling water may be poured into the mound to kill the ants. This technique is exceptional suited for smaller infestations and might not be as powerful for large colonies.
It’s crucial to observe that fireside ants can pose a risk to human beings and pets due to their stinging capability. Therefore, if the infestation is significant or poses a risk, it is encouraged to are seeking for professional pest manage offerings to make sure safe and powerful removal.
Remember, prevention is key in averting hearth ant infestations. Regularly check out your house for mounds and take steps to do away with capacity nesting websites, which includes doing away with debris and maintaining a properly-trimmed lawn. By being proactive and taking appropriate measures, you can efficaciously manage and manage hearth ant populations, creating a more secure and greater fun surroundings.
Management journeys: The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension recommends a two-step fire ant control method involving bait and particular person mound therapies. Different ways to get rid of fire ants embody pouring boiling water over the mounds or introducing one other ant species as a organic competitor.
7. Carpenter ants
Carpenter ants, known for their capacity to tunnel thru wood, are one of the maximum commonplace forms of ants that could cause extensive damage to homes and structures. These ants are normally larger in length, starting from ¼ to ½ inch lengthy, and come in diverse sunglasses of black, brown, or reddish hues.
Identifying carpenter ants is critical in enforcing effective removal strategies. Look out for their wonderful traits, which include the frivolously rounded thorax, elbowed antennae, and a unmarried node in between the thorax and abdomen. Additionally, you could word piles of wood shavings, referred to as frass, near their nesting sites.
Preventing carpenter ant infestations starts with addressing moisture troubles, as these ants are attracted to damp environments. Fixing leaks, repairing broken timber, and ensuring right ventilation can help deter them from organising nests in your own home.
When it comes to removing wood worker ants, it is vital to discover their nests. This can be hard as they frequently nest in tough-to-reach areas, which includes wall voids or hole sections of bushes. It can be vital to are searching for expert assist to effectively find and treat these nests.
Several strategies can be employed to put off wood worker ants. These consist of using ant baits, insecticides, or dirt formulations in particular designed for ant control. Baits are commonly powerful as they’re carried returned to the nest, in the long run eliminating the entire colony. Insecticides may be implemented immediately to the nest or alongside ant trails to disrupt their foraging styles.
It is important to be aware that chippie ant manipulate may also require ongoing efforts, specifically in instances of intense infestations or if neighboring regions have ability nesting websites. Regular inspections, preservation, and proper sanitation practices are vital in preventing future infestations and protecting your property from these unfavorable pests.
8. Acrobat ants
Acrobat ants, scientifically called Crematogaster spp., are a not unusual type of ant that may be located in diverse components of the arena. These ants are named after their precise ability to maintain their abdomens above their heads, akin to an acrobat appearing a balancing act.
Identifying acrobat ants is notably easy, as they normally degree between 2 to 7 millimeters in duration and feature a reddish-brown to black color. They have a awesome coronary heart-shaped abdomen and a pair of spines on their thorax. Another characteristic characteristic of acrobat ants is their inconsistently sized employees, with primary people being larger than the minor workers.
These ants are especially adaptable and can thrive in each indoor and out of doors environments. They normally build their nests in moist areas such as rotting wood, tree stumps, or decaying logs. However, they also can infest homes, especially if they discover a consistent supply of meals and water.
When it involves getting rid of acrobat ants, it’s essential to cope with each the nest and the foraging trails. Treating the nest at once with appropriate ant manipulate merchandise can assist eradicate the colony at its source. Additionally, sealing any cracks or openings in your private home can prevent re-infestation.
To deter acrobat ants from coming into your dwelling spaces, it is critical to preserve cleanliness and proper sanitation. Keep food saved in airtight packing containers, right away smooth up spills, and often do away with trash. By disposing of their get entry to to food and water, you could discourage these ants from organising a presence in your private home.
If the infestation persists or turns into overwhelming, it’s advisable to are trying to find expert pest manipulate assistance. A skilled technician can verify the quantity of the infestation and enforce effective treatment techniques tailor-made on your precise state of affairs.
The NC State Extension suggests you apply a residual insecticide barrier alongside your private home’s basis or deal with recognized ant nests immediately.
9. Thief ants
Thief ants, scientifically called Solenopsis molesta, are small, mild-coloured ants which can be regularly improper for different forms of ants due to their similar look. These tiny pests usually measure most effective 1.Five to two.2 mm in period, making them quite difficult to spot. However, their length does now not replicate the nuisance they can become in your property or garden.
Thief ants, as their call shows, are infamous for stealing food from different ants’ colonies. They are scavengers that generally feed on chocolates, meats, and greasy materials, making your kitchen and pantry their favored hunting ground. These ants can contaminate your food and cause substantial harm in your stored items if left unchecked.
Identifying thief ants can be tough, but there are a few key characteristics to appearance out for. They have -segmented antennae, and their our bodies are faded yellow to light brown in color. Thief ants also have a wonderful club-formed phase at the give up in their antennae, which facilitates differentiate them from different ant species.
To correctly remove thief ants from your premises, it’s far crucial to goal both the person employees and the whole colony. Start by using practising properly sanitation measures, along with regularly cleaning up meals spills and sealing all meals containers tightly. This will assist deprive the thief ants of their number one food assets and discourage them from foraging in your private home.
Additionally, employing baiting techniques may be especially effective in eradicating thief ants. Choose ant baits particularly formulated for candy-loving ants and region them near the regions wherein ant activity is observed. The worker ants will deliver the baits again to their colony, eventually doing away with the entire population.
If the infestation persists despite your efforts, it can be necessary to seek professional pest manage offerings. Exterminators have the knowledge and sources to perceive and dispose of thief ant colonies efficiently, making sure lengthy-time period alleviation from those persistent pests.
Management: How to get rid of thief ants? Michigan State College suggests mixing chemical ant baits, reminiscent of Terro or Drax Ant Bait, with a small quantity of grease or oil to get rid of thief ants indoors.
10. Odorous home ants
Odorous house ants, scientifically referred to as Tapinoma sessile, are small black ants that are normally discovered invading houses and homes. These tiny creatures earned their call because of the unsightly scent they emit while crushed, often resembling the scent of rotting coconut or rancid butter.
Identifying odorous residence ants is fairly clean. They degree between 1/16 to at least one/eight inch in period and have a dark brown or black coloration. These ants have a single node among their thorax and abdomen, distinguishing them from different ant species. Their bodies are segmented and have a barely uneven form. The people are uniform in size and feature a characteristic sweet teeth, making them attracted to sugary substances.
When it comes to their habitat, odorous residence ants tend to construct their nests both interior and outdoors. They are especially attracted to warm and moist areas, that is why they’re commonly discovered near sources of water along with kitchens, toilets, and basements. These ants also are acknowledged for their fondness for candies, meats, and different food assets typically found in households.
Eliminating odorous house ants may be difficult as they commonly have more than one colonies and severa satellite tv for pc nests. One powerful way to manipulate them is by way of finding and treating the primary nest. This can be done by following the ant trail and applying ant baits or non-repellent insecticides near the nest. It’s important to apply products particularly designed for odorous residence ants, as accepted ant baits may not be as powerful.
Prevention is similarly vital in preserving odorous residence ants at bay. This may be accomplished by preserving a easy and sanitary environment, sealing any cracks or openings that function entry points, and getting rid of capacity meals assets. Regularly examining and repairing regions susceptible to moisture, along with leaky pipes or taps, also can assist deter those ants from setting up colonies indoors.
While odorous residence ants may appear to be a nuisance, understanding their behavior and implementing proper elimination techniques can assist keep them below manage. By figuring out them effectively and taking proactive measures, you could efficiently control these not unusual family pests and maintain a pest-unfastened living area.
11. Argentine ants
Argentine ants, scientifically referred to as Linepithema humile, are one of the maximum commonplace kinds of ants found across the world. Originally native to South America, these ants have correctly unfold to diverse regions due to human pastime and are now taken into consideration invasive pests in many areas.
Identification of Argentine ants is particularly straightforward. They are small, ranging in size from 1/sixteen to one/four inch in length, with a light to dark brown coloration. Argentine ants have a slender frame and a single, important node between their thorax and stomach. When disturbed, they emit a musty smell, which can assist in identifying their presence.
These ants are exceedingly adaptable and regarded for forming big supercolonies inclusive of hundreds or even hundreds of thousands of person ants. They are noticeably aggressive in the direction of other ant species, often displacing local ants and disrupting the atmosphere. Argentine ants are interested in a wide range of meals sources, inclusive of chocolates, proteins, and even plant residues.
To correctly cast off Argentine ants, it’s essential to goal their whole colony as opposed to just person ants. Traditional ant baits and sprays may not be enough due to their massive colonies and rapid reproductive prices. Instead, the usage of sluggish-performing baits that permit for the transfer of the toxicant all through the colony is usually recommended.
One powerful method is to use a candy liquid bait that consists of a gradual-appearing poison. The ants will devour the bait and convey it returned to the colony, allowing it to be shared with other ants, including queens and larvae. Over time, this technique can cause the collapse of the whole Argentine ant colony.
It’s important to be aware that removing Argentine ants absolutely can be a difficult undertaking, in particular in areas where they’ve established large supercolonies. Regular monitoring and maintenance can be required to prevent their re-infestation.
By knowledge the traits and conduct of Argentine ants, in conjunction with using powerful removal strategies, you can efficiently manipulate and control these invasive pests in your surroundings.
12. Pharaoh ants
Pharaoh ants, scientifically called Monomorium pharaonis, are small, mild-yellow to reddish-brown ants that degree approximately 1.5 to two millimeters in length. These tiny pests are recognised for his or her notorious conduct and potential to infest diverse indoor areas, making them a commonplace nuisance for owners and enterprise owners alike.
Originating from Africa, Pharaoh ants have unfold throughout the globe, thriving in warm and humid climates. They are generally determined in houses, hospitals, eating places, and different homes where food and water sources are abundant. Unlike different ant species, Pharaoh ants are highly adaptable, making them mainly tough to control.
Identifying Pharaoh ants is important for powerful removal. They have awesome bodily traits, inclusive of their two-node our bodies and the presence of more than one queens inside a single colony. This unique trait sets them apart from maximum other ant species, as colonies normally include just one queen.
Pharaoh ants are regarded for his or her rapid breeding capabilities and large colony sizes. A unmarried colony can contain lots of people, making eradication a difficult task. These ants are also notorious for his or her capability to set up satellite colonies, in addition complicating manage efforts.
To efficiently remove Pharaoh ants, it’s far vital to goal the entire colony, which includes the queen and any satellite tv for pc colonies. Traditional ant control strategies may not be powerful because of their resistance to many commonplace insecticides. Instead, incorporated pest control (IPM) techniques involving baiting systems are regularly encouraged.
Baits designed specifically for Pharaoh ants are surprisingly appealing and formulated to be carried back to the colony, ultimately accomplishing and eliminating the queen. It is critical to keep away from the use of repellent sprays or insecticides at once on Pharaoh ants, as this could cause them to scatter and establish new colonies, exacerbating the infestation.
Preventing Pharaoh ant infestations is equally vital. Good sanitation practices, along with promptly cleaning up meals spills and nicely storing food, can help take away potential food resources. Closing off entry points, including cracks and gaps in walls and home windows, also can prevent those tiny invaders from gaining access to your private home.
In end, Pharaoh ants are a not unusual kind of ant which could purpose massive problems if left unaddressed. Understanding their particular characteristics and employing effective elimination methods, which includes targeted baiting structures, can help eradicate these pests and prevent destiny infestations. By taking proactive measures and searching for professional assistance if wanted, you could effectively eliminate Pharaoh ants and preserve a pest-unfastened environment.
Understanding the conduct and habits of each ant species:
To efficaciously put off ants from your house or property, it’s far critical to understand the behavior and conduct of each ant species. Different sorts of ants have distinct traits that impact their nesting habits, meals possibilities, and typical behavior. By identifying the unique ant species you’re dealing with, you could tailor your removal methods thus.
For instance, chippie ants are infamous for tunneling into timber, causing structural harm. They prefer nesting in moist or decaying wood and are often observed near water assets. Understanding this behavior allows you to attention your efforts on finding and treating those particular regions, correctly disposing of their colonies.
On the opposite hand, sugar ants, also referred to as odorous residence ants, are attracted to candy materials. They have a tendency to shape trails leading to meals assets and are often observed indoors, particularly in kitchens or areas where food is present. By knowledge their desire for sugary foods, you could strategically area bait or take measures to remove potential food resources, disrupting their foraging styles and in the end removing them from your home.
Similarly, hearth ants are acknowledged for their aggressive conduct and painful stings. They generally build massive mounds in open areas and are usually found in hotter areas. Understanding their nesting habits and aggressive nature permits you to rent specific techniques consisting of applying mound treatments or the use of focused insecticides to put off these troublesome pests effectively.
Signs of ant infestation in your own home or yard:
Ants are tiny creatures that can fast come to be a massive trouble if they infest your property or yard. It’s essential a good way to identify the signs of an ant infestation to take fast movement in doing away with them. Here are a few not unusual signs and symptoms to appearance out for:
1. Ant trails: One of the maximum apparent symptoms of an ant infestation is the presence of trails. Ants leave behind pheromone trails to communicate with their colony contributors and mark their direction to meals resources. These trails can regularly be seen as a line of ants marching in a directly line.
2. Visible ants: Spotting person ants in your property or yard is a clear indication that there is probably an infestation. Keep an eye fixed out for ants crawling alongside walls, floors, or counter tops.
Three. Nests: Ants build nests to set up their colonies. These nests can be located in numerous locations relying at the ant species. Common places to discover ant nests consist of cracks in walls, below pavement or driveways, in piles of timber or debris, or even interior your private home’s basis.
4. Piles of dust or sawdust: Certain styles of ants, like chippie ants, excavate wood to construct their nests. As a end result, you could observe small piles of dust or sawdust near wooden structures or furniture.
Five. Rustling sounds: If you concentrate intently, you may be capable of pay attention rustling or crackling sounds coming from the walls or ceiling. This ought to imply a large ant colony dwelling within your property.
6. Damage to meals packaging: Ants are attracted to meals sources and may cause harm to food packaging. Look for symptoms of tiny holes or chew marks on packaging, specially inside the pantry or kitchen region.
7. Garden harm: In the yard, ants can purpose damage to plant life and flora. Look for symptoms of chewed leaves, wilting flora, or disrupted soil round plant roots.
Prevention methods to preserve ants away:
Prevention is fundamental in terms of retaining ants far from your own home or enterprise. By enforcing a few easy strategies, you could greatly reduce the chances of an ant infestation taking keep. Here are a few powerful prevention strategies to bear in mind:
1. Keep your area clean: Ants are interested in food and crumbs, so make certain to smooth up spills and crumbs right away. Wipe down surfaces and sweep floors often to get rid of potential food sources.
2. Store meals properly: Seal meals in hermetic packing containers to prevent ants from gaining access to it. This consists of pantry objects, pet meals, and even fruit bowls. Ants are innovative creatures and can find their manner into improperly stored meals.
3. Empty trash frequently: Dispose of trash regularly and make sure that your garbage cans have tight-fitting lids. This will help to reduce the smell that attracts ants.
Four. Seal access factors: Inspect your home or building for any cracks, gaps, or holes in which ants can input. Use caulk or weatherstripping to seal these entry factors and save you ants from gaining get right of entry to.
5. Trim vegetation: Ants frequently use tree branches and shrubs as highways to get admission to buildings. Keep tree branches trimmed far from your private home or commercial enterprise and create a barrier between any plants and the shape.
6. Remove standing water: Ants, especially certain species just like the odorous residence ant, are drawn to moisture. Fix any plumbing leaks or assets of status water to dispose of this appeal.
7. Clean up out of doors debris: Remove leaf piles, woodpiles, and other debris from round your private home. These can provide nesting sites for ants and growth the chance of an infestation.
8. Use ant repellents: Consider using natural ant repellents which includes vinegar, citrus peels, or crucial oils like peppermint or tea tree oil. These can deter ants from entering your space.
9. Maintain a clean kitchen: Keep your kitchen region as clean as viable, wiping down counter tops, mopping floors, and washing dishes frequently. A smooth kitchen is much less in all likelihood to attract ants.
10. Regularly investigate and screen: Stay vigilant and regularly check out your home for any signs of ant hobby. If you spot any ants or their trails, take on the spot action to get rid of them earlier than they establish a larger infestation.
Enjoyable FAQ About Ants
1. How many varieties of ants are there?
You continue to have some time to go earlier than you’ve realized all of the ant species. We solely coated 10 right here, however there are greater than 12,000 species of ants.
2. How sturdy are ants?
Ants can carry 10 to 50 instances (or extra!) of their physique weight. And their sturdy joints can deal with forces of greater than 3,000 instances their physique weight with out breaking.
3. Do ants defend their meals provide?
Similar to people elevate and nourish livestock for meals, some ant species will defend aphids from pure predators and heavy rains to safe a relentless provide of honeydew.
4. Can fireplace ants float on water?
Fireplace ants are a major instance of teamwork. They will float on water by linking their legs to construct a raft, which permits them to float to dry areas to begin a brand new colony.