Pavement Ants

Pavement ants are small ants about 1/8th inch long and dark brown to black in color. They are found throughout the US and are a major pest in the many areas. The name for this ant comes from its habit of nesting under sidewalks and driveways and piling dirt removed from the nest, in a mound, on top of the pavement.

In addition to nesting under sidewalks, pavement ant colonies can be found under other items lying on top of the ground, including stones, logs, boards, bricks and patio blocks. They may nest in open soil close to building foundations or under mulch in landscaped beds. Only rarely do the ants nest indoors in walls, under floors or in insulation.

Control of pavement ants should begin with an attempt to locate the nest site. Ants entering buildings from outdoors can be discouraged by sealing as many cracks and gaps in exterior walls as possible. Also, correct poor foundation drainage and repair water leaks.

Why should I use University Termite & Pest Control for my Pavement Ant problem?

Odorous House Ants

Odorous house ants are small ants about 1/8th inch long and dark brown in color. They are found throughout the US, and in spite of their name, are only occasional pests in the house. Their name comes from the disagreeable odor, similar to the smell of rotten coconuts, that is given off when the worker ants are crushed.

Odorous house ants commonly nest outdoors in the soil under stones, logs, mulch, debris and other items. They will also nest indoors in wall and floor voids, particularly in moist or warm areas. If only a few workers (wingless ants) are observed in the house it is an indication that they are nesting outdoors and entering the house in search of food. If winged swarmers are found indoors, or if workers are consistently seen in great abundance, it likely indicates they are nesting within the house.

Control of odorous house ants should begin with an attempt to locate the origin of the ants. Careful and frequent observation may be necessary to develop an opinion about the source. Ants entering from outdoors can be discouraged by sealing as many cracks and gaps in exterior walls as possible.

Why should I use University Termite & Pest Control for my Odorous House Ant problem?

Pharaoh Ants

Pharaoh ants are very small in size, light yellow to red in color with black markings on their abdomen. Due to their extremely small size, they can be found in a diversity of places, appearing suddenly. They have a wide range of foraging and their nests are usually well hidden. They are very persistent, with large colonies.

Inside they are usually found in the kitchen and bathrooms, but workers are seen trailing along window sills, and baseboards. They can also be spotted near sources of water in the kitchen and bathrooms, counter tops, toilets, drains and sinks. They prefer to nest in recessed areas like wall voids, under some appliances, in wall outlets, under carpet for protection. They can also nest outdoors in lawns and gardens.

Why should I use University Termite & Pest Control for my Pharaoh Ant problem?

Argentine Ants

Most visible members of this species are about 1/8-inch in length. Their color varies from dark brown to black, and the body is often shiny in appearance.

Colonies of argentine ants can grow quite large and contain tens of thousands of workers and numerous queens. Each colony will be divided into subcolonies located in various suitable harborages connected by established trunk trails. These subcolonies can number from a few hundred to thousands of individuals. Since members of two separate colonies are not aggressive toward each other, colonies will often combine with one another. This creates huge super-colonies that may extend over several properties. Argentine ants are very aggressive and will drive out native species of ants creating an environment where they are literally the "king" of the anthill. Their primary food source during the warm months is the sweet "honeydew" produced by aphids and mealybugs. The presence of fruit trees, roses, and other plants that attract aphids often contributes to argentine ant infestations. Argentine ants reside outdoors, usually in shallow nests in the soil beneath a stone, board, or any other item that provides protection. Small, medium, or large subcolonies will locate themselves in piles of lumber, bricks, or debris, in landscape mulch, in river rock; within and under insulation; and in wall voids or any other suitable void. Argentine ants are becoming very common invaders of homes in the Southwestern United States. The argentine ant can be very difficult to control.

Why should I use University Termite & Pest Control for my Argentine Ant problem?

Carpenter Ants

Carpenter Ants are up to 5/8 - inch long and their color will vary from black, black & brown, red & black to light brown depending on the species. The most common species are black in color.

Carpenter ants feed on a wide variety of foods, especially other insects. The favored food of adults is the sweet honeydew produced by plant-feeding insects, such as aphids, scales, and mealybugs. In the spring, mature colonies produce winged reproductive ants, called swarmers, that fly out to start new colonies. These swarms often occur from satellite colonies within homes. A homeowner may see large flying ants in their home at night. Carpenter ants can be very difficult to control.

Why should I use University Termite & Pest Control for my Carpenter Ant problem?

Leaf Cutting Ants

The leaf cutter ant has members of the colony that are different sizes. The worker ants range from size for 1/16"-to 1/2 ". They are usually red. The winged reproductives or swarmers produced by the leaf cutter ant colonies are quite big. The females are well over 2 inch long with the males being much smaller. They are rusty brown. In general the leaf cutter ant is a relatively large ant with a spiny body and long legs.

Using their scissor-like jaws, they completely strip trees and other plants of their foliage, carrying back the leaves to their vast underground nests, where millions of ants live. It is in these chambers that leaf-cutters do something very unusual with the leaves that they bring back to the nest. The leaves are not eaten; they are chewed into a pulp-like material, which soon sprouts a fungus. This special, mushroom-like fungus serves as the colony's only food. Being very selective about the species of leaves they collect, causes these ants to travel several hundred yards on leaf gathering foraging. The ants leave an invisible scent on the trails they use in order to find their way home.

Why should I use University Termite & Pest Control for my Leaf Cutting Ant problem?