Ants

There are over 10,000 species of ants worldwide. In Pennsylvania, there are around 10 common types of ants you may encounter on your property.

Carpenter Ants

Of all the ants you’re likely to encounter, carpenter ants can be the most destructive. Carpenter ants are sometimes mistaken for termites. Both types of insects live in colonies and excavate wood. Carpenter ants, however, do not eat the wood as they excavate it. If you have carpenter ants, you’ll likely find wood particles that have been dumped around cracks in the siding, behind moldings, and around your basement, attic, or porch.

Appearance	Reddish, brown, or black with large mandibles (or jaws)
Length	¼” to ½” (large compared to other ants)
Where You Can Find Them Inside	Carpenter ants tend to be attracted to damp or decaying wood. They have also been known to nest in softer materials, like foamed insulation board. They may also nest in girders, joists, porch pillars, sills, wall studs, and around window and door casings.
Food	Sugary liquids like honey, syrup, or juice or meats and fatty foods
Extra Facts	When in their natural habitat, carpenter ants help to aid in the decomposition of trees. They are often more active at night. They have been known to form satellite colonies in houses, with parent colonies outside.

Complaints

Carpenter ants can cause cosmetic and structural damage to property. They may also contaminate food.

Solutions

You can prevent carpenter ants from entering your home or business by keeping any wood or wood waste away from the building. You should also keep all exterior wood surfaces painted and sealed. If any wood is in contact with soil, it’s best to use pressure treated lumber. Fix any drainage issues and ventilate crawl spaces and porch undersides to reduce moisture.

Insecticides and carpenter ant baits can help to manage carpenter ants. If your home or business has been invaded by carpenter ants, call Wildlife Enterprises, LLC for help.

Other common types of ants in Pennsylvania

Sugar Ants (also called Odorous House Ants)
Appearance	Brown or black; segmented; oval shaped with antennae
Length	1/18” to 1/16”
Where You Can Find Them Inside	Sugar ants are attracted to moisture and sugar. They are most often found in kitchens and bathrooms.
Food Sources	Sugar ants like sweet and greasy foods.
Extra Facts	They are sometimes called Odorous House Ants because they give off a rotten, coconut-like smell when they are crushed. Sugar ants do not pose a health risk to humans, but they can contaminate food and are considered a nuisance because of this.

Pharoah Ants
Appearance	Pharoah ants are light yellow with black and red markings. They have segmented antennae.
Length	Less than 1/16”
Where You Can Find Them Inside	Pharoah ants like warm, humid areas.
Food Sources	Sweets and dead insects
Extra Facts	Because Pharoah ants are so small, they can be difficult to control. They are known to spread bacteria. They can be a problem for hospitals, nursing homes, and healthcare facilities if they invade.

Little Black Ants
Appearance	Black and shiny
Length	1/16”
Where You Can Find Them Inside	Little black ants can be found in kitchens and pantries.
Food Sources	Sweets
Extra Facts	Little black ants are common household pests. They can fit through tiny cracks and crevices because of their small size.

Thief Ants (also called Grease Ants)
Appearance	Thief ants vary in color from light yellow to brown.
Length	1/16”
Where You Can Find Them Inside	Thief ants tend to stay around kitchens and pantries.
Food Sources	Fatty and greasy foods
Extra Facts	Because thief ants are so tiny, they can be difficult to control. They’re also known for slipping into sealed containers. Thief ants tend to nest near other ant colonies.

Red Imported Fire Ants
Appearance	Reddish brown
Length	1/8” to ¼”
Where You Can Find Them Inside	Red imported fire ants are typically found outside. They create noticeable mounds in the dirt in open areas.
Food Sources	Plants, insects, and sometimes even small animals
Extra Facts	Red imported fire ants are not native to Pennsylvania, but they have been introduced to some areas. They are considered aggressive and can sting if disturbed. The stings are painful and may cause some allergic reactions. Fire ants are considered opportunistic omnivores—they are not picky eaters.

Pavement Ants
Appearance	Light brown or black with lighter colored appendages
Length	1/8” to ¼”
Where You Can Find Them Inside	Pavement ants tend to live outside near driveways, patios, sidewalks, and building foundations.
Food Sources	Foods with sugar, fat, and protein
Extra Facts	Pavement ants typically stay outside, but they may come inside if they are searching for food. They can sting if they feel threatened.

Acrobat Ants
Appearance	Light to dark brown
Length	1/8” to ¼”
Where You Can Find Them Inside	Like carpenter ants, acrobat ants may keep their parent colony outside and create satellite colonies inside. They tend to look for damaged wood or holes in walls.
Food Sources	Honeydew, insects, sweet food and food with high protein (like meats)
Extra Facts	Acrobat ants get their name from the position they take when feeling threatened. They will raise their abdomens over their thoraxes, performing a sort of somersault.

Citronella Ants
Appearance	Light to dark brown
Length	¼” to 3/8” (large compared to other ants)
Where You Can Find Them Inside	Citronella ants typically nest outside in the soil near concrete structures or building foundations.
Food Sources	Honeydew and flower nectar
Extra Facts	Citronella ants get their name from the lemon-like smell they emit when they are crushed. They do not pose a threat to humans, but they can be alarming due to their size.

If you have ants invading your home or business, give Wildlife Enterprises, LLC a call. We can assess the situation, look for entry points, and help you create a management strategy to remove the ants and keep them away. Call us today to get started.

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Dan Lynch is a Certified Commercial Pesticide Applicator with licensing from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. His permitted categories include household and health related pests, wood destroying pests, and public health vertebrate and invertebrate pests.