Ants
(Formicidae)
What are ants?
Ants are a common pest. Most species may look very similar, but with more than 10,000 species living worldwide, these pests vary in appearance, behavior, and nesting habits. Ants live all around us and often move into our yards and homes, to nest and forage for food. Listed below are species of ants that live throughout our area of North Carolina.
Fire Ants
Fire ants are tiny aggressive ants that bite and sting anything that comes too close to their nest.
Odorous House Ants
Odorous house ants produce a foul odor that smells like rotting coconuts.
Little Black Ants
Little black ants are, as their name describes, tiny black ants that move into our homes in large numbers.
Carpenter Ants
Carpenter ants are large ants that like to nest inside of wood previously damaged by water. Inside of our homes, they create satellite nests inside structural wood.
Are ants dangerous?
Ants can be dangerous. Any species of ant can contaminate food, but some pose even larger problems. For instance, fire ants like to place their nests in our yards uninvited and then bite and sting us if we walk too close to their nest. Their venom is strong enough to trigger allergic reactions in people. Also, they invade and damage farm and electrical equipment.
Carpenter ants are another example of dangerous ants because of the destruction they can cause to our property. The tunnels and nesting galleries they create inside of structural wood, over time, will lead to damage that is extensive and costly to repair.
Why do I have an ant problem?
Ants have the unique ability to seem to pop-up out of nowhere and take over. Ants will nest on any property that offers them suitable nesting sites and food. Things like open trash and recycling containers, pet food, and outdoor eating areas are very inviting to ants. Once worker ants discover a source of food, they will alert the rest of the colony. After finding food on your property, ants are likely to create satellite nests both outside and inside of your home to help expand their colony.
Where will I find ants?
Most ants create their outdoor nests in damp soil under fallen trees, mulch, dense shrubbery, woodpiles, and landscape ties. In contrast, fire ants like to nest out in the open sunny areas. Yards, golf courses, and parks are places where fire ants create their nests. If ants move inside to create a satellite nest, they usually do so behind walls or underneath floors near water pipes, crawlspaces, or other moist areas. Ants make their nests in areas of the home that tend to have the highest humidity levels, such as basements, kitchens, and bathrooms.
How do I get rid of ants?
Win the war against ants and other pests with the help of an experienced professional. At Innovative Pest Solutions, we can provide fast and effective pest control services in Raleigh, NC that homeowners can trust. We get rid of pests and stop them from coming back!
Protecting our customer’s home, health, and the environment are our top priorities. To learn more about our locally owned and operated company and our affordable pest solutions, reach out today! We will be happy to provide you with information about our residential pest control options.
How can I prevent ants in the future?
To prevent ants from becoming a problem on your Raleigh, North Carolina property, partner with Innovative Pest Solutions. Also, implement the following tips to guard your home against ants:
- Reduce nesting spots on your property by getting rid of leaf piles, fallen trees, and tree stumps.
- Get rid of easy access to their most common foraging sites by keeping lids on trash cans and recycling bins, maintaining gardens and compost areas, and picking up any uneaten pet food.
- Maintain a barrier between mulch, grass, and soil and your home’s foundation.
- Seal entry points that develop in the exterior walls and foundation of your home.
- Place covers over vents leading into your house.
- Eliminate easy access to water by fixing leaky pipes and fixtures.
- Reduce humidity levels in your home that attract ants and other pests using dehumidifiers and air conditioners.
