From spiders to rodents, the Pacific Northwest is home to many pests, but the most common household pest is the ant. Not all ants are the same and if you have an ant infestation, you’ll want to know which type you’re dealing with so you can take appropriate action.
Fortunately, United Pest Solutions is here for you. In this article, we’ll list the common types you may encounter and how you can prevent them.
Carpenter Ants
Carpenter ants are generally easier to identify than other ants because of their large size and dark color. They’re also the most damaging of all the different ant species because they build nests by tunneling through wood–a behavior that homeowners often mistake for termite damage.
To help prevent carpenter ants, you’ll want to remove any dead stumps from your property and repair water leaks.
Odorous House Ants
Odorous house ants are generally dark brown to black and measure around 1/16 to 1/8 of an inch. They typically nest in walls and under floors of buildings. These ants get their name for the foul odor they emit when crushed, which smells similar to rotting coconut. In addition to producing unpleasant odors in your home, odorous house ants can also contaminate your food.
The best way to treat odorous house ants is to have pest control technicians seal wall openings and apply treatments. You’ll also want to store food properly and clean up spills to help keep odorous house ants away.
Pavement Ants
Like odorous house ants, pavement ants are also dark brown to black in color. They’re about ⅛ of an inch in length and are usually found near paved areas of the home, hence their name. Pavement ants often get inside of homes through cracks in the foundation. Once inside, they’ll feast on greasy foods, sweets, and even pet food. Pavement ants also have the ability to contaminate your food supply.
To keep pavement ants away, seal cracks around your home and clean up spills.
Moisture Ants
Moisture ants are yellow, brown, or black in color and measure around ⅛ of an inch. As their name suggests, these ants prefer moist environments. You’ll typically find them in damp soil, underneath rocks, and near dead wood.
Repair water leaks and ensure your rain gutters work well to help keep moisture ants away.
Professional Ant Control
Ants are social insects, which means they live in large and structured colonies—so if you see one ant, there are likely many more nearby. If you suspect an ant infestation or want help deterring ants, United Pest Solutions can help.
When you contact us, we’ll conduct a thorough inspection of your property to locate entry points, identify the ant species, and determine how severe your infestation is. Then, we’ll discuss our findings with you and recommend an action plan.
If you’re interested in our ant control services, contact us to schedule an appointment!