If you’ve spent time in the Utah foothills or the desert, you’ve likely seen the large, aggressive Harvester Ants (Pogonomyrmex). These ants are "landscapers" that create unmistakable clearings in the wild.
The MoundThey build large, flat mounds covered in small pebbles.
Vegetation ClearingTo keep their nest warm and clear of obstacles, they strip all vegetation around their mound, creating a "bald spot" in the yard that can be 3 to 6 feet wide.
The StingUnlike most ants, Harvester ants have a very painful sting. They are not aggressive unless their mound is disturbed, but they will defend their home fiercely.
The Seed GatherersThey primarily eat seeds. You can often see them in long "foraging trails" extending far from their mound into the surrounding brush.
Are these the same as Fire Ants?No. While they are red and they sting, true Fire Ants are not common in Northern Utah. Harvester ants are much larger and less aggressive than Fire Ants.
Will they come inside my house?Rarely. They prefer the open, sunny spaces of your yard or the Utah desert. They only become a "pest" when their mounds interfere with your landscaping or pets.
Why do they put pebbles on their nest?The pebbles act as a "heat sink," absorbing the Utah sun during the day to keep the colony warm deep underground during the cool desert nights.
