Ant Identification & Prevention

Are Ants Dangerous?

Most people don't run away in fear of ants for good reason. Most ants pose little threat to people and are so small we can easily defend ourselves against them! Ants are mainly nuisance pests that get into our homes where they contaminate food and spread bacteria to surfaces, and some, like the odorous house ants, create unpleasant odors.

The carpenter ant is one of our region's more problematic and "dangerous" ants. These large ants build their nests inside trees and pieces of wood. When these ants get into our homes and decide to stay and nest, they cause serious and significant structural damage over time.

Why do I have an ant problem?

An ant colony's biggest daily task is finding and bringing back food to the nest. Worker ants leave the nest each day to search for food sources. Things like open trash cans, gardens, compost piles, pet food, and outdoor eating and cooking areas provide ants with reliable food sources.

If your property provides these pests with food, they will keep returning and, because of their excellent communication skills, will bring more and more ants with them each day. As ants are foraging for food in your yard, they will eventually end up inside your house, moving through small cracks and crevices they discover during their travels.

Where will I find ants?

Ants typically nest outside, with preferred nesting sites varying by species.

• Argentine ants nest in places with lots of moisture, like under rocks and fallen trees. These ants are known for maintaining many nesting sites.
• Carpenter ants nest inside pieces of wood, trees, tree stumps, and woodpiles, preferring wood that is decaying or water damaged.
• Pavement ants nest in the cracks and crevices in sidewalks, driveways, and in the soil next to building foundations.
• Odorous house ants like to nest in the damp soil found under rocks, boards, landscaping ties, and fallen trees.

Though most ants like to nest outside, once they get inside our homes, they sometimes decide to stay and build satellite nests. Most ants will nest behind walls or under floors in areas of a house that provide them with both moisture and warmth. Spaces near appliances, sinks, or water pipes are popular nesting spots.