Whether it’s in the kitchen, in the bathroom or along the walls in your home, ants have a way of showing up where they’re not wanted. While a few might seem harmless, certain species can cause bigger problems than you’d expect. Knowing the common types of ant infestations in the Midwest can help you protect your Nebraska home. Read on to learn more. 

Carpenter Ants

Carpenter ants are one of the largest ant species found in the Midwest, and, unfortunately, they’re also one of the most destructive. While they don’t eat wood like termites, they do tunnel through it to build their nests. They often do this in damp or decaying areas, which usually end up being near window frames, decks and crawl spaces. This behavior can lead to serious structural damage to your home over time. One of the biggest clues that carpenter ants may be nearby is the presence of small piles of what looks like sawdust, called frass, which they push out of their tunnels as they excavate.

You can usually tell carpenter ants apart from other ants by their size and appearance. They typically range from 1/4 to 3/4 of an inch long and are black in color, though some may have reddish or brownish tones. If you see very large ants in your home, especially at night when they’re most active, or spot winged ants in springtime, this could indicate the presence of a carpenter ant infestation. 

Odorous House Ants

Odorous house ants may be tiny, but they can quickly become a big problem once they find their way inside your home. These ants get their name from the odor they give off when they’re crushed, often compared to a rotten, coconut-like smell. As a type of sugar ant, they’re attracted to sugary substances and moisture, often nesting near water pipes, in wall crevices and under carpets and flooring. While they don’t cause structural damage or bite often—and even when they do, it’s not painful—they can contaminate food and are notoriously difficult to control once they’ve invaded.

To identify odorous house ants, look for small, dark brown or black ants that are no larger than 1/8 inch long. Unlike many other ant species, they don’t have a very defined waist, and when they walk, their movements tend to look erratic or uneven. If you notice a line of ants marching across your kitchen counters or a strange smell after squishing one, there’s a good chance you’re dealing with odorous house ants.

Pavement Ants

Pavement ants are small, dark brown or black ants that get their name from their habit of nesting in or under cracks in sidewalks, driveways and foundations. They’re especially an issue in urban and suburban areas across Nebraska, often popping up along the edges of buildings and patios. Like odorous house ants, pavement ants are only about 1/8 of an inch long and are persistent invaders after they’ve made their way indoors. Inside your home, you may see these ants trailing along baseboards or foraging in the kitchen in search of sweets, oily substances or dead insects. While they aren’t considered to be the most harmful of pests, they still pose health risks since they can contaminate food by tracking bacteria from garbage and other unsanitary areas.

Though they sound similar in behavior and appearance to odorous house ants, there are a few differences between them. Pavement ants don’t give off a distinct odor if crushed, while odorous house ants most certainly do. Pavement ants also tend to form more visible dirt mounds near cracks in concrete or along the foundation of people’s homes, which is one of the easiest ways to spot an active colony. These mounds are created when they tunnel to and from their nests. Treating the visible trails and the nests themselves is essential for long-term control, especially if they’ve set up shop inside your home.

Signs You Need Professional Pest Control

While an occasional ant or two may not be a cause for concern, frequent sightings of these insects, especially in multiple areas of your home, could mean a larger infestation. If you see signs of any of these ant species, like ant trails, mounds, or piles of frass around your home, it’s time to call the professionals. A licensed pest control company can accurately identify the type of infestation you’re facing, locate nesting sites and treat the problem at its source to prevent future infestations.

Ants might be small, but they can become big headaches for homeowners if left unchecked. Let the Omaha pest control experts at Pro-Staff help you keep your home pest-free. Give us a call at (402) 819-7378 or contact us online for a free inspection!