How to Know What Type of Ants You Are Dealing With

If you see ants in and around your home, you might wonder how you can tell what type of ant you have. There are more than 16,000 species of ants in the U.S. However, there are substantially fewer ant species that are found in Houston, Galveston and the rest of the Gulf region and even fewer that are known to infest homes and businesses. It is important for you to correctly identify the ant species with which you are dealing so that you can use the appropriate treatment methods for them.

Fire Ants

Fire ants are especially problematic because of the dangers that they present to humans and animals alike. These ants are red ants that bite. If you are bitten by fire ants, you will feel a burning and stinging sensation. These ants inject an alkaloid venom that can cause serious reactions in people. They establish nests in sunny, warm areas and are prevalent across the South.

Odorous House Ants

Small black or dark brown ants, odorous house ants give off a putrid smell when they are crushed. These ants are attracted by food sources and especially like sweet or sugary items. Odorous house ants may be seen crawling in a line in your home and may infest your pantry and countertops. To help to keep these ants out of your home, you should keep your countertops free from crumbs and sprayed off. You should also store food in your pantry in tightly sealed plastic containers.

Pavement Ants

Pavement ants make their nests under sidewalks. They are a species that will engage in battles with each other. They may come inside to find food sources and may be found running across sidewalks. During the spring and summer months, you might find them inside of your basement.

Crazy Ants

Crazy ants derive their name from the strange way in which they move. They do not follow orderly lines like most other ants and instead move erratically. These ants are very common in Texas and are reddish-brown. In addition to being attracted to sugar, crazy ants are also attracted to electromagnetic fields. This may lead them to infest outlets and other electrical sources, and they can even cause disruptions to your power.

Keeping Ants Out

Ants can enter through very tiny cracks. A good way to help to keep them out of your home is to make certain that you keep your counters, floors and shelves clean. You should also use airtight containers for food storage. Caulk any cracks that you might have. Finally, finding their nests and treating them may help you to stop ants at their source. Contact Alvin Pest Control and let our pest professionals help you with the identification of your ant species and then to use the most effective treatment.