Beyond ruining your picnic, some types of ants are destructive, like carpenter ants. Others, like odorous house ants and acrobat ants are simply a nuisance.
Carpenter Ants
Carpenter ants can do a great deal of damage to homes, offices, and other buildings. They are large and usually black, sometimes with reddish or yellowish markings. They chew smooth tunnels and galleries into wood, especially if it is damp or rotting. They do not eat the wood, but leave behind sawdust like material. Hiring a pest control service is crucial when you discover carpenter ants in your home or business.
Odorous House Ants
Odorous house ants, also known as stink ants, are named for the unpleasant smell they give off when crushed, which is similar to rotten coconut. They are dark brown to black, and drawn to moisture. They most often invade during rainy weather. Their nests can be found near water pipes and heaters, under carpets and floors, behind paneling, in wall crevices… really anywhere they have access to adequate food and water.
Acrobat Ants
Acrobat ants are small and usually black to yellowish, but occasionally multi-colored.
They raise their heart-shaped abdomens up over their heads when bothered, giving them their name. Acrobat ants also emit a foul-smelling odor they emit when disturbed. They don’t usually nest inside homes, but under the right conditions they may be found in damp or damaged wood.
Pavement Ants
Pavement ants are dark brown or black and have grooved lines on their head, body, and thorax. They also have a small pair of spines that extend from the back of the thorax. When they nest indoors, they are often found underneath floors, within insulation, and inside walls.
Ant Control
There are a few things you can do to discourage ants from settling in. They require moisture, so keeping attics, basements, crawl spaces, and areas under sinks dry is important. Eliminate food sources by keeping kitchens clean and food stored in airtight containers. Seal cracks and crevices on the outside of the building with silicone caulk, especially where utility pipes enter. If you already have ants inside, however, a professional pest control service is the best way to eliminate them.
Calls to antsexterminator.ca for pest control services to get rid of ants that come pouring in this time of year.
