The Black Garden Ant is the most familiar ant species in European and North American gardens, forming small colonies under stones, in soil, and under pavement. Males and young queens participate in dramatic nuptial flights on warm summer evenings, sometimes appearing in millions. Workers actively tend aphid colonies for honeydew secretions, effectively farming the insects.
Best time to see a Black Garden Ant
The best time to see a Black Garden Ant is March–June, when about 62% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 2,128 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Black Garden Ant? What bug is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Black Garden Ant sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
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