There are a variety of ant species that can infiltrate your home. Some are simply hunting for food and water, while others are attempting to create a satellite colony in your home's timbers, inflicting significant property damage. A pheromone trail is left behind for other ants to follow if proper conditions are available. As a result, as soon as you notice ants, you should engage an ant exterminator to deal with the situation.
Examine baseboard gaps, carpet edges, window and door frames, water sources, areas where plumbing leaks have happened, and all areas of the kitchen within your home. Outside your home, inspect the perimeter landscaping, trees, tree stumps and rotten wood, mulch areas, and woodpiles, to name a few things.
It is critical that the homeowner does not attempt to solve the problem with over-the-counter products, depending on the species. In most cases, using the incorrect product will exacerbate the problem (process called budding where the colony separates and multiple colonies are formed). Spraying or baiting will not be enough to control wood-infesting insects like carpenter ants. To eliminate the threat, you must find where they are nesting in the house and treat it immediately.
Odorous House Ant
Color: Dark brown to black
Legs: 6
Size: 3-5 mm
Identifying Characteristics: 3-segmented body; one node; 12 segment antennae not terminated with a club; bitter odor when crushed.
Characteristics of this insect:
- When crushed, the huge yellow ant emits a lemon scent and is also known as Citronella.
- To establish their colony, the species burrows beneath the ground. As the species digs holes to create its tunnels in the colony, a considerable amount of earth is excavated. Decks, logs, rocks, and outside patios are common places to find the colony.
- Ants swarm at any time of year, whether indoors or out. Once inside, the ants will not reproduce or attack stored commodities or structures.
- The presence of this ant, which often forms colonies in wood that has been previously attacked by termites, could indicate moisture problems or termite damage.
Thief Ant
Color: Yellow to orange red in color with dark abdomen
Legs: 6
Size: 1-1,5 mm
Identifying Characteristics: Antennae has 10 segments and ends in a two-segmented club; stinger at tip of abdomen so small that it is rarely used effectively; most often confused with the Pharaoh ant.
Characteristics of this insect:
- These ants live inside, nesting in small crevices and stonework and traveling across rooms via wires and conduit. Outside, they build their nests in exposed dirt or beneath things, as well as in rubbish, rotten wood, and tree holes.
- Colonies can range in size from a few hundred to several thousand workers, including a large number of queens.
- Thief ants eat insects and rodents that have died. If the bug comes into contact with food goods, diseases from this substance may be passed to people. Protein, sugars, and oily meals like peanut butter are also favorites of the insect.
- The ants’ name comes from their habit of stealing food and larvae from other colonies.
Pharaoh Ant
Color: Yellowish to orange/reddish, with shiny dark abdomen
Legs: 6
Size: Workers are about 1,5-2mm
Identifying Characteristics: 3-segmented body; two nodes; 12 segmented antennae with 3-segmented club;1,5-2mm, black in appearance, possess wings, and have a stinger.
Characteristics of this insect:
- Grease, foods, insects, and sweets encourage them to form trails. Warm climates are preferred (80 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit)
- Year-round activity in residences and portions of bigger structures such as hospitals, food processing facilities, office buildings, and flats, to name a few. Wall voids, under baseboards, stacks of documents, bed linens, and bandage packs are among places where it can be found.
- Colonies are vast, feature numerous queens, and grow by “budding” – each queen takes a portion of the colony with her.
- These ants have been found in IV tubes, pharmaceutical droppers, and bandage stacks, believe it or not.
Click the ant and we are there!