The little black or sweet-eating ant is typically found in and around human dwellings and along the edge of forest habitats. Little black ants are highly gregarious or social insects and form large groups. Significant numbers of little black ants are therefore found in any one nest. These groups -- or colonies -- comprise members that perform defined functions. Although this species of ant normally builds nests underground, they may also build them in rotting wood or trees. The majority of sweets-eating ant eggs hatch into workers after 10 days. These that have wings will relocate to begin a new colony once the original becomes too large for the current nest.