While most of us think of them only as a nuisance, ants really do fill important roles in the environment. Many species dig tunnels that loosen and aerate soil, opening paths for water to reach plant roots. In their search for nectar, they can dislodge insects that damage leaves. As predators, ants will attack slugs and caterpillars that destroy lawns and gardens.
Despite these positive traits, ants can become become a problem outside their normal habitat…especially when they get into your home or business! They’ll march right in through openings as large as open door and as small as cracks in your walls.Once inside they’ll look for food and water sources, which means you will often find them in and around kitchens.
Spring is the time of year to become serious about ant control. If not repelled early in the year, their presence could well become an infestation by summer.
This month we’ll take a look at two types of ants: those that eat food (we’ll call them “house ants”) and those that eat your house.
House Ants
Several common species fall into this category; one species is actually named “house ants!” In this blog, we’re also including crazy ants and pavement ants in the group. As you can imagine, each species has distinctive characteristics.
– Odorous house ants are dark colored and can be from 1/16 to 1/8 inch long. They’re found in all across the United States and typically live several years. They reside in exposed soil, in wall cracks, and under floors.
– Crazy ants get their common name from their workers’ habit of running in an erratic manner. Like house ants, they’re also dark, but with a gray sheen. Crazy ants range from 1/16-1/8 inch in size and are found throughout the United States. They thrive in both wet and dry environments.
They enter homes after rainfall. Indoors, these ants usually nest underneath floors or carpeting. Outdoors, their nests are shallow and commonly under objects or next to foundations.They don’t pose a serious health threat, but if they can become a nuisance once inside.
– Pavement ants can be found across the U.S. They make their nests in or under cracks in pavement. They can infest buildings by entering holes in concrete.
These ants grow to about 1/8″ and are dark brown to black. Pavement ants do not pose a serious health risk, but can contaminate food and should be avoided.
As always, prevention is the best way to avoid an infestation. Best practices include sealing holes and cracks to discourage entry, storing food in containers with snug fitting lids, keeping food preparation areas clean, and monitoring the periphery for activity.
Carpenter Ants
The cost of recovering from an infestation of “house ants” is relatively low…particularly if their presence is discovered early. Not so with Carpenter ants; recovering from one of their infestations can cost thousands of dollars.
Carpenter ants can be mistaken for their more benign peers. They may be a combination of black and red, or completely black, red or brown. Adults can grow to as large as 1/2″ to 5/8″. They’re attracted to damp or wet wood, where they build nests. Fully developed colonies can house 10-20,000 ants!
These ants will nest outdoors and indoors. They frequently enter buildings through damaged wood, cracks around doors and windows, or holes in a structure meant for wires. They’ll also crawl along shrubs or tree limbs to reach a promising area far above ground.
Because of the potential for extensive damage, you should watch closely for common signs of their presence. Swarms of winged ants are often the first clue that carpenter ants have arrived on your property. Keep an eye out for them, particularly around areas that remain moist. We recommend regular visual inspections around all buildings, looking for small openings on wood surfaces. Ants expel debris through these holes. An accumulation of this debris below the holes is a good indication that ants are munching on your structure.
If you see any type of ants in or on your home, take action immediately. That’s especially true if you see carpenter ants! A nominal investment in prevention or treatment will pay great dividends. Call or text us at (405) 659-8729 to schedule an expert inspection and treatment plan. Don’t wait…a small expenditure today will prevent larger bills later!
