Different Types of Ants That May Be Found in Your Home or Yard

There are different kinds of pests out there - some more dangerous than others. Certain insects such as mosquitoes and ticks are more of a problem outdoors and can cause serious diseases. Other bugs, however, such as crickets or beetles are generally considered a nuisance but they're harmless.

Getting rid of ants from your home or yard requires a good deal of work. Before you can choose a method of control, though, you must first figure out what kind of ants you're dealing with. Colorado has a variety of different ant species, and each presents its own unique challenges when it comes to keeping them away.

If you are having an ant problem, you need to call an ant exterminator. That said, it’s important to learn more about the most common types of ants:

Army Ants

The army ant is a species found in the tropics. Each colony of army ants has multiple queens who are in charge of different kinds of workers. The workers - both males and females - go hunting for food and will go on long, straight processions to find food.

Army ants are very thin and will enter homes or cars if left open. If the ant colony has food, it will stay and reproduce. Most ant colonies will have workers who march around the nest looking for food, looking like a small army. If they find food, they will bring it back to the nest and the queen will lay more eggs.

Carpenter Ants

Named for the fact that they chew up wood, carpenter ants are another type of ant that can be found in Colorado. Carpenter ants can eat through wood to get food and water or to make a nest for the queen. These are the same type of ants that some people like to keep as pets!

Carpenter ants are wood-boring insects that are quite large. They can survive in dry areas and like to make their homes in mounds of wood. Carpenter ants will eat anything they can find, including dead animals. They can be found under siding and in various locations inside the home.

Honey Ants

Honey ants are common in Colorado and are known for their sweet honey-like odor. Honey ants are dark brown or black in color and are about 1/8 of an inch long. They are most often found in the southeast part of the state.

Pavement Ants

Pavement ants are small and black and will nest in concrete and pavement. They move around a lot and are found in large numbers. They will bite if they are disturbed and have a foul odor. Pavement ants are also called "trash ants" because they will eat anything they can find.

Funnel Ants

Funnel ants are small, black ants that have a narrow body and yellow head. They are medium-sized and have a yellow face with a black thorax. Funnel ants are also known as black ants. They like to nest near homes or in dry places and often enter homes or other buildings in search of food, water, or warmth.

Conclusion

When you know what kind of ant you have, you can take the right steps to get rid of an ant infestation. A call to a professional ant exterminator may be necessary if you are dealing with a particularly stubborn infestation, such as with carpenter ants, to get the job done right.

Whitmore Pest Control offers ant pest removal services for residential and commercial clients in Colorado. Contact us today to learn more about our pest control solutions!