How to identify and get rid of bullet ants

They say things are bigger in Texas, and unfortunately, that can be true for some of their ant pests as well! If you are in southern Texas, there’s a lot of things you have to deal with, one of them being stinging ants. But not just any ants… Ants with stings that feel like you got shot by a bullet.

Texas bullet ants, also known as hairy panther ants, are tropical ants that have found their way into parts of southern Texas. They aren’t as common as fire ants, but what they lack in abundance, they make up for in pain.

They're known to be more aggressive than your average ant, especially when disturbed, making an accidental encounter with them something you'd want to avoid. They don’t tend to invade inside homes very often, but can be found in yards and forests.

These ants hunt for prey, usually in shrubs or trees and they will feed on nectar. They colonize in cavities found in dead trees or branches, either in the canopy or on the ground.

Texas bullet ants are large ants that have distinctive hairy, black bodies that give them a velvety look. You can also identify them by their large mandibles and apparent stinger.

Common characteristics of bullet ants:

• Large black ant
• Hairy body
• Large mandibles
• Painful stinger

How big are bullet ants?

Texas bullet ants can grow to be about ½ inch long.

What other ants look like a bullet ant?

There is a species of bullet ant in the rainforest called the bullet ant, but it doesn’t live anywhere in the US. Carpenter ants are big and black and may be confused with Texas bullet ants. However, carpenter ants aren’t hairy.

These ants are only found in southern Texas. However, they are abundant in Mexico, Central America, and South America.

These ants prefer to nest in moist and decaying wood, under rocks, or in thick leaf litter. They are less likely to invade indoor spaces but can occasionally be found near damp areas of a home.

If you are in southern Texas and are worried about Texas bullet ants coming into your property or home, then you need to take some preventative measures to keep them out.

Seal entrances: Make sure that any gaps or cracks in doors or windows are sealed and caulked.

Eliminate nesting spots: Look for any dead wood or debris around your home and remove it.

Maintain yard: Keep your garden and yard well-groomed to avoid creating habitats they prefer.

Water management: Ensure that there is no standing water around your home, as moisture attracts them.

Bug barrier: Create and maintain a bug barrier around your home to prevent Texas bullet ants from establishing colonies inside. Pestie offers DIY, pro-grade solutions for the best year-round home protection.