What Type of Ants are in Your Home?

There are a variety of ants out there, so it is difficult to determine what kind of ants are infesting your home. By knowing just a few traits of the most common ant species, it is easier to form a plan of action. Here are the three most common ant species in the United States. 

Carpenter Ants

Carpenter ants pose a real threat to homeowners because they can be structurally damaging. They excavate wood and cause severe damage over time if they are not managed properly. These ants do not eat wood – they nest inside of it and chew through your home to find a spot they like. People typically discover these ants in basements, attics and crawl spaces. Carpenter ants vary in color, but all of them have the same nesting behaviors. 

Odorous House Ants

Odorous house ants are similar to carpenter ants in terms of their attraction to wood. They are often found under pieces of wood or debris in landscaping. Ants enjoy making their nests in a space surrounded by wood, but they do not eat the wood, so they do not cause structural damage. They will not cause problems in your home – they are just pests. They are attracted to food debris and will often attempt to bring crumbs back to their nests, as most ants do.

Pavement Ants

Pavement ants get their name because they tend to nest under rocks and pavement. Homeowners are aware of these ants as they mine the sand and soil from under concrete slabs, patios, sidewalks, driveways or basements. Some refer to this ant as a mason ant because of its nesting behavior. One thing that makes this ant stand out is its stinger. Most people are not stung unless one of these ants somehow crawls onto the skin. Their sting only causes itchiness, so they do not pose a real threat to humans. 

Contact ABC Exterminating Today!

If you have an ant problem or any other pest in your home or commercial space, ABC Exterminating can help. We are pest control experts who know how to make your space pest-free. We specialize in residential and commercial pest control, as well as termite, bedbug and rodent control. Our team of pest control experts is ready to get the job done. Give us a call at 203-866-1233 or contact us online. We look forward to working with you!