Carpenter Ants
Contrary to what the name might suggest, the type of carpenter ant you’re likely to en counter in your southern home doesn’t eat wood. They do like to live in rotted wood though, which means that termite homes are perfect for them. Carpenter ants will invade a termite nest, attack them, eat the eggs, and take over their home. That doesn’t mean you want to have them in your home though. They pack a nasty bite and they tend to worsen existing damage. These ants tend to be ¼-½ inch big and are usually black, though they can be red and black, brown, yellow, orange, and tan. They also have rather distinctly large mandibles.
Ghost Ants
Ghost ants may be some of the most common ants you might find in your home, or not. Ghost ants are aptly named and can be tough to spot, thanks to their small size and their pale abdomen and legs. They’ll live just about anywhere and often form multiple nests. They’re quick to spot food, even if it’s just crumbs, which may be the easiest time to spot them. You’re most likely to see them in the kitchen and bathroom since they also need a reliable source of water.
Pharaoh Ants
Pharaoh ants are another small ant. Though sometimes mistaken for a ghost ant or thief ant because of its small size, pharaoh ants are not the same. Pharaoh ants are generally a yellow-brown color and have red and black markings on their abdomen. They’re also slower than ghost ants, which tend to move quite quickly. These ants can be quite difficult to control on your own. They tend to split off and form new colonies, an act often referred to as budding, when pesticides are used improperly. This can be a serious problem since pharaoh ants can spread diseases and illness. Any infested food should be thrown away and not consumed.
There are multiple types of ants you might stumble across in your home. Knowing what sort of ant you’re dealing with can be helpful when it comes to dealing with them and any damage they’ve caused. Remember to take preventative measures as well. Keeping food in sealed containers and quickly cleaning up spills are always good moves for pest prevention.