Ants are everywhere (almost).
Ants can be found in almost every country around the world, but you will find different ant species depending on where you live.
This article will cover where ants live, what their natural habitats are, and where various types of ants can be found around the world!
Where Do Ants Live? (Nests)
Ants live where it is warm, where there are plants, and where they can find food. They often live in the soil but sometimes build mounds above ground or forage on trees.
Ant nests have multiple chambers made of dirt with tunnels connecting them to each other. Some of these chambers store the colony’s food supply while others contain ant larvae and pupae (young ants).
It’s also possible that some species of ants don’t make a nest at all; instead, their colonies may be spread out under rocks or roots underground where they dig tubular galleries which join up with an irregular network of small rooms used as storage areas and brood-rearing sites.
Ant Habitats
Ant habitats are where they live, what conditions they prefer, and where ants build their nests and mounds.
Different species have adapted to living in different climates. Some ants like it colder, while other ants like it warmer and more humid.
Furthermore, some colonies nest underground while others create above-ground mounds or anthills where they take shelter from predators and harsh weather conditions such as rain and cold temperatures.
Also read: Where do ants go when it rains?
Which Continents Do Ants Live In?
Ants live in the following continents:
- Asia
- Africa
- Europe
- North America
- South America
- Australia/Oceania
The ant species you find where you live depends on where that is located and what regions of earth it lies upon.
The ants which are native to your area will either have adapted over time or were introduced via human intervention, such as trade and relocation of people among cities and nations where different kinds of ants reside alongside them.
Most places around the globe can enjoy a range of varying types of ant colonies belonging to many subspecies living harmoniously together with other insects, birds, mammals, and even reptiles who may share their habitat peacefully or not depending on circumstances.
North America
In North America, ants can be found from Canada to Mexico. In the United States, there are over 1.000 different types of ant species.
Some popular examples include:
- Argentine ants
- Odorous house ant
- Pharaoh ant
- Fire ants
Read more about where fire ants live here.
South America
In South America alone there are over 1.000 different ant species. The most common found in this continent is the leafcutter ant (genus Atta) and fire ant.
The leafcutter ant can be seen making impressive trails of leaves they cut from trees to take back to their nests where they chew it up and use it as fertilizer for a fungus that serves as food.
Bullet ants also live in South America and is one of the most dangerous ant species.
Europe
Europe is no exception and where do ants live there can be quite different from where they might reside elsewhere on this planet. There are a lot of ant species living in Europe, but the most common are the black garden ants.
Africa
Many different ants live in Africa where they are found on every continent. Most of the species that exist here depend on two main factors:
- Climate: ant habitats range from deserts to rainforests and each type of climate is suitable for a specific kind of ant.
- Location: depending on where you find yourself in Africa, the types of ants will vary between regions or countries.
Asia
Ants are found all over Asia, where they live in a variety of habitats. The most common ants in the region are leafcutters and army ants which both build nests underground or in trees. Ants can also be found living in urban areas where trash piles provide them with food sources.
Australia
There are over 200 ant species living in Australia. One of the most common ones is the bull-headed ants (Camponotus consobrinus). They live across eastern and central northern areas of Australia where they build nests on trees near human habitats.
Ants also enjoy tropical climates where there’s plenty to eat all year round, like aphids for example. The green tree ants (Oecophylla smaragdina) live mainly in North Queensland where people can see them building their nests high up among palm leaves or hanging down from branches by long silk threads.
Do Ants Live In Your House?
Ants are found all over the world. They tend to live where there is food and water available, often near humans where they can intercept crumbs or other leftovers when scavenging for food.
The ants you see in your home may be one of several different species that have adapted to living around people. Some common ant species include carpenter ants, pavement ants, odorous house ants, and pharaoh’s ant
The natural habitats where some types of ants live include forests, grasslands, and deserts. While these areas provide a suitable environment where many insects thrive including mosquitoes, ticks, and spiders. They also offer shelter from predators such as birds, lizards, or snakes by providing dense vegetation cover.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where Do Most Ants Live?
Ants live in almost every region of the world. There are about 22,000 species of ants that exist worldwide and where they live depends on their habitat preferences. Tropical regions with hot climates have more diversity than temperate or cold regions where there is less biodiversity.
What Is the Place Where Ants Live Called?
In the majority of cases, where ant colonies live is called an “anthill.” This term can also be used to refer to where ants and other insects such as sowbugs or pill bugs live.
Ants build nests in soil and create hills that are made up of tiny materials they collect from their surroundings. These mounds protect them from weather conditions like rain and sun which could damage the colony if it were left exposed on a surface where these types of conditions existed.
Where Do House Ants Live?
House ants are the most common species of ant found in homes where they usually live under kitchen or bathroom sinks. They often have nests inside walls where they can be hard to find and remove.
The house ant is found all over North America – but this doesn’t mean that you won’t see them living around your home
As their name suggests, they prefer areas where there is a lot of moisture present which makes kitchens and bathrooms ideal for them to set up shop. However, anywhere where food scraps are left behind may be an area where it’s worth keeping an eye out for.
