Ant attacks in homes are extremely common. However, you might not be aware of the fact that multiple ant species can be responsible for these attacks. A top pest control service provider like Rove Pest Control should be able to help you in eradicating all of these species with equal efficiency. Read on to know about the five most common ant species you may have in your home.
1. Fire Ants
These ants get this unique name from a couple of things. The first one is their bright, red body, while the other one is their itchy and burning bites. These ants have petite structures. According to experts, their length is typically less than one-fifth inch. However, the queens are usually slightly larger than their male counterparts.
Despite being extremely small, these ants can be dangerous for humans. They always attack in groups. So, if you encounter an attack by fire ants, you may end up getting hundreds of ant bites, which can be extremely debilitating.
These creatures are even more dangerous for elderly individuals and children as these individuals often fail to take prompt action against the ants. It’s also common for humans to have allergic reactions to fire ant bites.
2. Formica Ants
Formica ants, which we commonly refer to as field ants, are small creatures with their sizes ranging between 4 and 8 mm. You’ll find these ants in a range of colors. Examples include black, brown, yellow, and red.
These ants are common in deadwood and open soil areas. Your chances of having Formica ants in your home increase significantly if you have a garden surrounding your home or have greenery in the neighborhood.
Indeed, these creatures don’t sting. However, their bites are extremely painful. What’s worse is that they have the tendency of spraying a harmful acid onto perceived threats, for instance, human hands. This acid comes from their stomach and can make you suffer from intense irritation.
3. Argentine Ants
These ants are less dangerous compared to the species mentioned above. They cannot sting and their bites are not as harmful as the Formica ants. However, you’ll still experience serious pain when bitten by Argentine ants.
4. Carpenter Ants
They are among the most frequently spotted types in homes. They are much larger than ant species like fire ants. You’ll also find carpenter ants that are as big as one inch.
You should check the areas around damp, old deadwood structures in your home for these ants. These ants can reside inside any wooden structure in your home. It’s also common for these creatures to bore holes into homes for building their nest.
5. Black Ants
The sizes of these ants usually range between 1.5 and 2 mm and their colors are either black or blackish brown. You can find black ants both inside and outside your home. They feed on food items such as cornmeal, fruits, and sugar.
Due to their extremely petite body, these ants often don’t have the strength to sting humans properly. However, you can still get black-ant stings occasionally. The chances of getting a bite or sting increase if there’s a serious invasion in the kitchen.
Final Words
If you keep your home clean and tidy, your chances of facing ant attacks will be much less. Hiring pest control experts for inspection and treatment once every year will also help.