Having ants inside your home is a frustrating nuisance. These pesky critters may come indoors in search of a warm, dry place to build a nest. They may also be on the lookout for a satisfying bite to eat. Some varieties are simply annoying, and others are downright destructive. The following guide will help you learn more about some common species of indoor ants.
Carpenter Ants
Large, dark ants may be carpenter ants. These ants build their nests inside wood structures—especially damp wood that might be the cause of water damage. They’ll tunnel right through the beams of your home to get there and may result in structural damage.
Pavement Ants
Pavement ants like hard surfaces, such as driveways, sidewalks and rocks. They don’t spend all of their time outdoors, however. If they’re on the hunt for food, they’ll invite themselves into your home. Holes in your concrete are their favorite way to get into buildings.
Argentine Ants
Argentine Ants, as you can probably guess, are native to Argentina and other areas of South America. However, they have been unintentionally introduced to areas in the United States as well. In fact, they are having a huge impact on Northern California’s ecosystems by out-competing with native ant species. They’re different from other species as their colonies have multiple queens—there can be up to 300 queens for every 1,000 workers. They’re incredibly invasive and able to stake out food before other species do. Those ants then back off and the Argentine then dominates the area. This causes a disruption in the local ecosystem as insects and plants that relied on the native ants to help fulfill their needs will no longer be able to get that assistance. Therefore, the survival of other aspects of the ecosystem is then put at risk. There has even been a decrease of predator species, like the Horned lizard, who uses the native harvester ants of California as a food source.
Ghost Ants
You might not spot ghost ants at first glance. These two-toned ants have such light-colored legs and abdomens that they often blend into their surroundings. Ghost ants come inside because they like warm places. Similar to Argentine ants, they enjoy munching on sweets, so keep cake and cookie crumbs cleaned up.
Odorous House Ants
Odorous house ants have a lifespan of a few years. They could live in your house undetected for much of that time. These ants take up residence in tucked-away spaces, such as underneath your floors. They also like to hang out in cracks and crevices. If you do see odorous house ants, think twice before smashing them. Crushed ants have a rotten scent.
No matter what ant species you have inside your house, it’s best to get rid of them as soon as you can. Keeping insect invasions under control with the help of a pest control company can help to preserve your property, your food, and your sense of comfort in your own home.
