According to the National Pest Management Association, ants are the most common pest that invade houses. Ants are most likely to enter the home during the spring, summer, and fall, most likely in a quest to find food. Once ants identify a plentiful food source, they share the news with their friends, and you have an ant problem. Several different types of ants are found in homes. Correctly identifying the type of ants in your home is critical to eliminating them.
Black Ants
Black ants are what you probably imagine when you think of an ant. They have a two-segmented waist and are approximately 1/16 of an inch long. These ants primarily live outdoors but are attracted to sugar and will enter the home if a food source is found. Little black ants aren’t particularly harmful but are more of a nuisance in the house.
Carpenter Ants
The giant ants that you see in your home are called carpenter ants. Red, black, or brown in color (or a combination of these colors), carpenter ants are 5/8” long with a segmented body. Carpenter ants build tunnels and nests in wood-like door frames, windowsills, and wall frames. The first signs of these ants may not be their physical appearance but rather small holes in wood or sawdust shavings. While these ants don’t eat the wood, they can still threaten your home and should be treated promptly after first sighting.
Argentine Ants
Shiny black or dark brown ants are known as Argentine ants. On the smaller side (1/16-1/4”) with a segmented, oval body, these ants are attracted to sugar and are at their peak reproductive state in the spring and summer months. They prefer to nest in moist areas and are often found near leaking pipes or other water sources in the home. Argentine ants carry bacteria from trash, sewage, and dead animals, which can harm humans should they enter the house.
Odorous House Ants
These small brown or black ants are 1/16-1/8” long and get their name from the smell they emit when crushed (a rotten coconut or blue cheese odor). They are attracted to moisture and sugar and contaminate food in the house. Sometimes, there is more than one nest of odorous ants, so it’s essential to prevent them from entering the home, not just treat the known nest.
Pavement Ants
Pavement ants are some of the most common in the United States. They are dark brown or black and 1/8” long. These ants are usually found on the ground level of homes and apartment buildings. Pavement ants eat almost anything and feast on whatever food is left out in your kitchen. While they don’t pose a public health risk, they can contaminate food in the house.
Regardless of the type of ants you find in your home, eliminating them quickly is a top priority. If you see signs of ants, contact Home Pro Pest Control to have our pest experts eliminate them and prevent them from returning.