Spring is springing! With an abundance of fresh produce on the way, we are all planning our spring outings, cookouts and picnics. Of course, where you find food, you’re likely to find ants.
Ants are naturally drawn to our kitchens and break rooms, or anywhere we’ve left food out. There are more than 10,000 species of ants, but pavement ants, carpenter ants, odorous house ants and fire ants are some of the most common that invade our homes, businesses or yards.
The odorous house ant is likely the most common ant that invades homes and offices. These tiny, dark ants usually emit a stinky coconut-ish stench when smashed. Some call these bugs “sugar ants” because they are drawn to sweets. These bugs don’t sting or bite, but they’re still a bothersome nuisance.
The pavement ant is also small and brown/black, and they usually build nests in, well, pavement. Their nests look like big volcanos. They are mostly an outside nuisance, but they will enter a structure with a concrete slab and hunt for anything sugary. Pavement ants can sting, but it’s rare.
Fire ants are easy to identify because they are the color of fire – a reddish, orange hue – and their string can feel like fire. These ants build huge colonies, and if their nest is disturbed, they’ll strike quickly. Some people are allergic to fire ant stings, so it’s important to eliminate these ants from your property.
If your home or business has wood, look out for the carpenter ant. These dark-colored ants are bigger than pavement or odorous house ants, and they will build colonies inside damaged wood. These pests can cause quite a bit of damage to a structure, so it’s important to keep an eye out for them (as well as termites!).
Whether you’ve got a kitchen full of groceries or a break room full of snacks, it’s important to keep your food stored in airtight containers. This goes for pet food, too.
Learn more about ants in our Pest Facts section.
Got ants? We got you. Contact Ark Pest Control & Prevention to rid yourself of these annoying pests.