Ants

Ants are the most common household pest in America, with over 700 species found across the country. While most ant species are simply a nuisance, two types deserve serious attention: carpenter ants, which can cause significant structural damage, and fire ants, which deliver painful venomous stings.

The species you are most likely to encounter indoors include odorous house ants (tiny, dark brown, emit a coconut-like smell when crushed), pavement ants (small, dark, common in kitchens), Argentine ants (light brown, form massive super-colonies), and carpenter ants (large, black, excavate wood for nesting). Identifying the species matters because treatment approaches differ significantly.

Carpenter ants are often confused with termites because both are associated with wood damage. The key difference is that carpenter ants do not eat wood — they excavate galleries for nesting and leave behind piles of sawdust-like frass. They prefer moist or damaged wood and are most active at night. A carpenter ant colony can contain 10,000-50,000 workers and cause substantial structural damage over several years.

One of the most common mistakes homeowners make with ants is killing the visible workers without addressing the colony. Ants leave invisible pheromone trails that guide other workers to food sources. Wiping down surfaces with vinegar disrupts the trail temporarily, but the colony will send new scouts within hours. Effective treatment requires baits that workers carry back to the queen.

Fire ants, predominantly found in southern states, build large mounds in yards and deliver stings that cause painful, pus-filled blisters. For people with allergies, fire ant stings can trigger anaphylaxis. Fire ant colonies can contain 100,000-500,000 workers and are extremely difficult to eliminate without professional mound treatments.