You can probably tell an ant from a spider or a fly, but can you tell them apart from one another. In America alone, there are nearly 1,000 species of ants. Some are dangerous, others are destructive, but all are a nuisance when inside homes. As hard as it can be to tell ants apart, we are here to help. Today we will be breaking down which ants around your home are dangerous or destructive, and which are just there to annoy you.
Nuisance Ants
Most ant species are nuisance ants and pose no real risk to you, your family, or your home. Here are some of the top nuisance ants known for invading homes here in Worcester.
Odorous House Ants
Although smelly when stepped on or interacted with, odorous house ants do not cause any major problems around homes. The worst you can expect from them is a little thievery in the way they scavenge for food. Odorous house ants are typically 2.4 to 3.3 mm in length, are brown or black in color, and have unevenly shaped thoraxes.
Pavement Ants
Pavement ants are more likely to be found outside your home around sidewalks, driveways, and patios than they are to be spotted inside. When they do come inside, it is usually to scavenge for food or to escape inclement weather or the cold. Pavement ants are very similar in size to odorous house ants and have light to brown-colored bodies.
Thief Ants
Often mistaken for the more dangerous Pharaoh ant, because of their yellowish-brown bodies, thief ants are another common nuisance pest here in Worcester. You are most likely to find these ants indoors when the weather outside is too hot or cold, or when they are just looking to find a quick meal.
Dangerous Ants
Fortunately, there are not that many dangerous ants here in Worcester. In fact, there is only one that is notable for spreading bacteria and disease and that is the Pharoah ant. These 2 mm long yellowish-brown ants are known to contaminate foods, countertops, and tables. Pharaoh ants are an even bigger concern inside medical facilities as they can contaminate sterile equipment and put patients at risk. These ants are considered by professionals to be some of the most difficult pests to control indoors.
Destructive Ants
Most ants build their nests outdoors, underground. Carpenter ants are a bit different. These larger blackish-red ants prefer to build their nests into something a bit more sturdy, wood. If your home is even partly made out of wood, it is at risk of a carpenter ant infestation. The good news is that carpenter ants will not just pick any wood to build their nests out of. The wood they infest usually has to be softened by water damage, rot, or decay. Do your best to keep your home’s wood in good condition to better your chances of avoiding carpenter ant problems.
The Best Way To Keep Your Home Ant Free
Regardless of what species of ant you are dealing with, one thing will always be certain, they will always bug you. To eliminate and prevent annoying, destructive, and dangerous ants from your Worcester home, the professionals here at Big Blue Bug Solutions is here to help. We have the detailed and effective solutions your home needs to stay ant-free, year-round. If that is what you are looking for, give us a call today. One of our friendly service representatives would be happy to discuss our pest control options with you to find what works best for you and your Worcester home.