Even though there are 12,000 different classifications of ant species, the typical home or business owner in Colorado will find the same six species commonly invading their property. Effective Pest Services will cover these common invaders so you can better identify and control each species.
How Do You Identify Pavement Ants
Pavement ants are one of the most common species of ants found in Colorado. As the name suggests, pavement ants will build their nest under sidewalks, driveways, and other places where pavement is used. It’s easy to know if a pavement ant infestation is present. You will see little dirt mounds by pavement cracks. As pavement ants build their nests, they will bring the dirt to the surface where you will start to see their little dirt piles. Pavement ants as very small and dark brown in color. This species of ants don’t really cause too much trouble for most people. However when they make their way onto the back patio where little ones play, they can cause some concern.
How Big are Field Ants?
Field ants are black or very dark red in color and can reach 1/3 inch in size. They typically will build their nest outside in the loose soil you will find in gardens. They like to feed on the sweet honeydew excreted by the aphids. Other then digging very large nests, creating large dirt mounds in your yard or gardens, they don’t come into buildings looking for food.
Do Odorous House Ants Bite
Odorous house ants are more commonly known as the sugar ant. These ants got the nickname Sugar Ant due to their love of sugar or sweets. If you are wondering why their name is the odorous house ant, it’s because they have the habit of emitting a particular odor with they feel threatened. Odorous house ants will build their nest outside, near the foundation of homes and buildings. Once they find the goodies inside your home, they will make themselves a common visitor to your household. If you find that you have been invaded by the sugar ants, you will want to seal all of your food in containers. As you start this process of preserving your foods, know that ants can crawl inside some containers. Make sure it has a good seal where they can’t crawl through. While odorous house ants do not sting or bite, they can become persistent pests, traveling indoors in large numbers.
What Do Carpenter Ants Do to Your House?
Carpenter ants are by far the worse ant to have invading your home or building. When most people hear carpenter ants, they think termites. Keep in mind termites eat wood. Carpenter ants will burrow or dig tunnels called galleries. They will build the nest near dry or soft woods either in or outside the home. They mostly will begin their nest outside the building and slowly dig their tunnels deep into your home. They can cause great damage that can cost the home or building owner thousands of dollars in repairs. If you start to see little holes appearing, accompanied by sawdust, you are most likely invaded by carpenter ants.
What Do Cornfield Ants Eat?
Cornfield Ants are quite small, measuring just 1/8 of an inch. They are light brown in color. They will nest outside and like the sugar ants they have a sweet tooth. They will venture inside if they catch the scent of something sweet. Again, keep food sealed to prevent them from discovering your personal treasure hold of goodies.
Are Pharaoh Ants Harmful?
Pharaoh Ants are light brown and extremely small, measuring 1/12 on an inch. They are the unseen invader. They have the unique characteristic of building their nest inside buildings. They will have multiple queens in a single colony, and spread very quickly throughout the home or building. They are often a nuisance to hospitals, dormitories, and apartments. Some evidence shows that they are even responsible for spreading deadly pathogens like salmonella and Streptococcus through facilities like hospitals.
Ant Pest Inspections, Exclusion, Control, Removal & More in Wellington, Fort Collins, Timnath, Greeley, Longmont, Boulder, Johnstown, Berthoud, Estes Park & Loveland, CO | Northern Colorado
Controlling ants isn’t an easy task. Keep food and other cooking messes cleaned up and sealed. Once you discover the nesting grounds of your ant invader, you will to spray around their nest and their trails. For more ideas on controlling these pests, call Effective Pest Services. We are happy to help you.
