Who Are the Peskiest Ones of All?
While walking down a sidewalk or along a path in the woods, a person is almost sure to encounter an ant or two. Ants have colonized on almost every landmass on Earth (with the exception of Antarctica and a few inhospitable islands), therefore, it is not shocking that most people know what an ant is and what they look like. However, many people may ask an extermination specialist, “Which ones do you get the most calls on?”, or, “which are the peskiest? When surveyed, extermination specialists in the United States of America, stated that there are five ants which they are most commonly called out to exterminate: odorous house ant, Argentine ant, carpenter ant, pavement ants, and fire ants. Now, let’s take a closer look at each of the five peskiest ants.
These ants are commonly found in north and central United States and is one of the most common and challenging ants to exterminate in Illinois. Many extermination specialists report that the odorous house ant is difficult to pinpoint where they originate due to the fact that they are found wide-spread around the house. These ants are also known for being a hearty species. Scientists have discovered that despite injuries, a worker ant will continue to scavenge and bring in food or build for the colony. During the winter months, the colony will shrink to occupy one nest. However, during the spring and summer months, they will form multiple nests. Typically these ants are seen to be the most active between the months of March and September. Fun Fact: The odorous house ant gets its name due to the fact that if stepped on, they will secrete an odor that their fellow ants will smell and will become attracted to that area.
The Argentine ant is commonly located in the southeastern United States where they prefer to build their nests in wet environments. Internationally, the Argentine ant is found in 15 countries on six continents as well as many oceanic islands. They will typically build their nests under boards, stones, plant life or alongside sidewalks. Research performed and published in 2009 indicated that the argentine ant is the most pervasive creature on the planet, which only parallels humans. This is due to their genetic make-up which allows them to cross into neighboring ant colonies without being attacked or killed; allowing them to form what are called super colonies. It should be noted that unlike other ants, the Argentine ant can have multiple queens per colony and are considered to be one of the top 100 worst animal invaders. The Argentine ant is most active in between the months of March to October. Fun Fact: One super colony is known to stretch from San Diego to San Francisco and beyond.
Found throughout the United States, carpenter ants are typically seen around dead or damp wood. It should be noted that carpenter ants do not consume the wood (like termites) but rather, their food supply consists of other dead insects and the “honeydew” created by aphids. The carpenter ants will chew what are called, “galleries” throughout the wood in order to establish tunnels between their nest and food supply. In homes, look around and under windows, roof eaves, decks and porches as these areas are more prone to moisture. If you hear an extermination specialist referring to “Frass”, this is the sawdust-like material left behind in the creation of their “galleries”. Fun Fact: Carpenter ants do not sting, however, they do bite and can spray formic acid into the wound, which can irritate it.
While walking on a sidewalk, more than likely you have seen little piles of sand and debris along its edges. These are the work of the pavement ant. Originally native to Europe, the pavement ant has happily made North America its home from the east coast to the mid-west, in the south, and can also be found in parts of California and Washington State. As indicated by their name, they predominately build their nests under pavement and sidewalks, but can also be found under rocks and typically enter a building through cracks in the foundation or interior walls. Pavement ants have been recorded to be the busiest and most abundant during the spring and summer months. They eat a variety of food sources such as sweet and greasy items as well as dead insects. Fun Fact: Pavement ants are very aggressive and in the spring and summer will attack neighboring ant colonies, causing thousands of ants to perish in their onslaught.
Most Northerners are introduced to the infamous fire ant while on summer vacation in the southern states. Too engrossed in the sights and sounds of the ocean and beaches, an unsuspecting tourist will step on a nest, releasing a torrent of unrelenting and biting ants up and down their legs (please note that some people are severely allergic to the bite of a fire ant and may need medical assistance). Typically resulting in the tourist to scream out while running around in an attempt to get rid of them. It should be noted that the name “fire ant” is a common name for several species of ants who are all under the same genus. However, there are over 200 species in this genus worldwide and are considered to be under the umbrella of “stinging ants”. Names from other parts of the world include tropical fire ants and ginger ants. In the United States, fire ants are typically found in the Southern states, however, have been seen moving their way North. They are considered aggressive and invasive who will attack and decimate other ant colonies as well as other native insects (such as bees). They are found to nest in wet areas around lakes, rivers, areas in yards that do not drain collected rain water, etc. Normally, their nests are not visible because they build under objects such as rocks and logs. If they build their nest in an open field, they will build a dome, which can be as tall as 16 inches. Fire ants typical food source includes seeds and plant life. Fun Fact: Fire ants can survive flooding by creating “rafts” out of their bodies by holding on to one another in a large circular ant disk that is able to float safely on the water.
Who Lives In Indiana with US?
Out of the five ants outlined in this Blog, three are commonly found in the Crown Point and Cedar Lake areas (the Region, if you will): The Odorous House Ant, The Carpenter Ant, and The Pavement Ant. The Green Advantage is not only able to treat these ants, but the other varieties of ants (and other insects) found in this area as well. If you can, before calling, look around your house to spot the areas you think the ants are coming in from and where they are congregating. Tell your technician this information as well as how long the ants have become a nuisance to give them a better idea of what treatment plan will work best for you! Together we can manage and exterminate the “peskiest ants of all” from your home!
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