The very mention of the tiniest plague may make your skin crawl. If you have found a string of ants crawling through your kitchen, you have probably thought at least once about researching and moving to a place where there are none. In your research, you may have found that there are very few places in the world where these tiny pests aren’t a problem. In this post, we are helping you identify types of ants and what you can do about them.
Four Types of Ants You Will Find in and Around Your Home
Sugar Ants
What is a sugar ant? Sugar ant is a colloquial term for an ant that is attracted to crumbs and sweet things. The reality is that almost all ants are sugar ants. Sweet smells are potent and thus attract scouts from ant colonies that identify your home as a target for the workers. Regardless of the specific species of ant, if you have sugary crumbs or the smallest drink spills in your home, they will find it and invade.
Pharaoh Ants
Otherwise known as “pissants,” these little pests are commonly believed to be the ants that plagued Egypt. Whether or not they were a problem for Egypt’s king, they are a common ant species throughout North America. You can identify them by their red bodies and black abdomens. Unlike most species, Pharaoh ants prefer to develop their colonies indoors. If you have an ant infestation, it is quite possible you have Pharaoh Ants.
Carpenter Ants
Carpenter ants may not make themselves visible. If you do see one, it is likely because they are significantly larger than most species. This is one of the few types of ants that can really do damage to your home. You’re less likely to see them as you are their effects. If you find that there are soft spots in your floors, mysterious holes, hollow areas in walls, or damage to wood furniture, you may have a carpenter ant infestation. You do not want to delay in dealing with this type of ant.
Fire Ants
Fire ants are by far the most frightening species of ants. For now, they are only a problem for the southern portion of our area, but they have moved farther and farther north over time. Fire ants are not necessarily distinguishable in their appearance, but you can know them by the mound they build and their behavior. Most ants in your yard are going to have relatively small mounds, but fire ants complexes will seem like massive piles of dirt. While we absolutely do not recommend finding this out on your own, fire ants will immediately surround it if something disturbs their mound.
Unfortunately, if you happen to be the one to step on their pile of dirt, you can find yourself being bitten dozens of times in short succession. In the worst cases, fire ant attacks can result in people having volatile reactions that lead to death. They can be a threat to pets as well. Getting rid of these pests is not a DIY project. If you have fire ants in your yard, you do not need to wait till something bad happens before you bring in help to exterminate them.
What Can Be Done About Ants?
Although ants may be attracted to sugar, they are anything but sweet. Some are not just a nuisance but a threat to your property and can even cause bodily harm. Do you have to just accept ants on your property? Absolutely not! You can trust the team at Rid-A-Bug Exterminating to take care of your ant infestation. We respond quickly and help you take steps to prevent ants from returning. Contact Rid-A-Bug for ant extermination in the Carolinas and Virginia.