Ants
* This section deals with ants other than carpenter ants and pharaoh ants. For information on those two species please click here for carpenter ants or here for pharaoh ants.

Most Common Ants Found In Order of Most Frequent
Carpenter Ant - Pavement Ant - Field Ant - Odorous House Ant - Pharaoh Ant - Cornfield Ant - Thief Ant - Small Honey Ant - Ponerine Ant - Large Yellow Ant - Acrobat Ant (least commonly found)

Ants appear inside buildings for one of three reasons:

1. The building is on top of their nest and they have to come up through the basement or foundation and in the building
2. The ants live outside and have to come in for food or water
3. The ants have a nest somewhere inside

Pavement ants are most commonly seen infesting buildings built on a slab. They live underneath the slab and come up through cracks and other openings in the slab into the building.

The other ants will build mounds outdoors and come in for food or water. Some ants will actually nest inside the walls and can be active all year around.

From left to right: Queen, winged male, major worker, minor worker

Field Ant

Odorous House Ant

Preventing Ant Issues
Since there are several different species of ants that enter in search of food and/or water, anything such as trimming tree branches, shrubs, and anything else that is in contact with the building will help. Ants will use utility and electrical lines to enter and these areas should be caulked to prevent entry.

Ants are very good at finding their food and water so areas that may be susceptible to spills and food crumbs should be kept clean. This is to include more than just kitchens. These areas can also be bedrooms, bathrooms, office break rooms and cafeterias, garbages, and around vending machines. If you make it difficult for the ants to find food and water, they will usually move on.

Controlling Ants
Even if you follow all of the prevention steps, ants may still become a problem inside and the only solution may be the use of insecticides. This may include sprays, dusts, baits, or a combination.

Sprays and dusts can be used at the crack or opening where you see the ants coming from to eliminate the nest.

Baits are used when the nest may be difficult to find, but when the ant trail can be seen. Baits are placed along these "ant trails" where the worker ants travel to find food and water. These worker ants take the bait back to the nest and share it with the other ants including the queen. This generally takes a little longer but is very effective. It may take weeks or even longer to control an ant colony using baits.

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Pavement Ant