The workers lay down a chemical trail as they forage, which helps direct other workers to foods. Ants feed on a variety of different foods. Sugary materials are preferred by most species. Seeds, grease or protein-rich foods and insect pests make up the diet of other ants. Although field ants do not nest indoors, nests adjacent to or under homes allow these ants to forage indoors during early spring, before other ants are active.
Field ants feed on a variety of foods.
However, field ants also feed on other insects. Nesting sites can be brick or stone walls, cracks in the pavement, beneath rocks, and in openings around foundations. They do not nest in the house, but often forage inside in search of sweet materials. Some eastern plains species are lighter in color. The most distinctive habit of carpenter ants is their ability to nest in wood.