Ant Identification

Are ants dangerous?

In the Sacramento area, fire ants, pharaoh ants, and carpenter ants are the three most dangerous species of ants to find in your home or business.

Fire ants are aggressive ants that can limit people's ability to enjoy their yards. They swarm together in large groups and deliver painful stings as a means of defense. Fire ants stings are no joke, and the venom they inject can trigger life-threatening allergic reactions in some individuals.

Pharaoh ants stand out because they tend to spread bacteria and make people sick with illnesses such as salmonellosis and staphylococcus. These ants have high moisture needs and regularly invade hospitals and contaminate IV lines.

Carpenter ants are less of a threat to people than the above two species but are still dangerous because of their ability to be destructive. Carpenter ants nest inside pieces of wood; if they decide to nest inside a home, over time, their nesting habits cause structural damage that is expensive to repair. 

The good news is that most ants are not dangerous, but they are problematic, and no type of ant should be allowed to move in and out of your home as they please.

Why do I have an ant problem?

The fact is that ants are outdoor pests and can choose any of our yards to establish a nest and colony. When ants live outside close to houses, they are more likely to wander inside, attracted by moisture or food odors. Ants are exceptional communicators, and once they discover something that benefits the colony, they will lay down a pheromone trail to alert the rest of their colony to new resources. 

Leaky pipes, overwatered gardens, open trash cans, gardens, and outdoor pet feeding stations regularly attract ants. If you are ever concerned about a problem with ants on your property, reach out to us at Explorer Pest Management. We want to help you learn about home pest control for ants. 

Where will I find ants?

While ants are a common problem in homes, you should do everything possible to keep them out. The ant's small size means they can enter structures through small spaces. Once inside, if they decide to nest, ants can multiply their numbers quickly. 

If ants have become regular visitors in your home or have decided to become permanent members of your household, you will likely notice the following:

• Trails of ants crawling over surfaces or within your home's cabinets or pantries.
• Ant nesting mounds in your yard.
• Rustling sounds behind your home's walls.

Ants usually prefer to build their large central nest outside but often create satellite nests indoors after being attracted inside by food or moving inside to escape harsh weather conditions. Inside homes, you are more likely to find ants and their nests in locations that are out of sight, behind wall voids, baseboards, cabinets, large appliances, and vents.