Ants

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To learn more about the different types of ants

found in and around your home or business,

please scroll down.

Ants are the number #1 pest problem in homes today.

Although for the most part, only Carpenter Ants can destroy our houses. However, the massive number and locations where these other ants are seen make these nuisance ants a major problem.

The main reason it is difficult to treat these other species of ants is "identification" or the lack there of. Every specie of ants has different feeding habits. Not knowing which ant you are dealing with, renders it impossible for anyone to determine the proper treatment. Some ants prefer sweets, some prefer protein. Some like solid foods while others like liquids. The time of the season also is a key factor since at certain times, some species change the habits. Therefore, it is imperative that when dealing with ants, "you get a sample".

Centrals' Urban Entomologist will identify your sample to insure that you receive the proper treatment for you particular ant problem.

The following are some basic features of the most common ants that we have encountered in our area.

Click this link to visit our Carpenter Ants page

Carpenter Ants

Contrary to what most people believe, Carpenter Ants "do not"eat wood! They carve smooth galleries inside wood for their nests. Their damage can be even more destructive than termites since they can be attacking your house from many levels at the same time. Whereas termites must live in the soil. This keeps their damage limited the lower portions of the home.

Odorous House Ants

The pungent "rotten-coconut-like"odor given off when this ant is crushed, Colonies of these ants can range from several hundred to over a hundred thousand. Inside, these ants usually construct their nests in wall voids especially around hot water pipes and heaters, in crevices around sinks, cupboards, etc. These ants prefer sweets, but also eat food with high protein content and grease such as meats and cheese. Locating their nest is crucial to controlling these ants.

Acrobat Ants

Acrobat Ants are light brown to black in color. They are approximately 1/8 in in size and can be easily recognized by their destinct shaped abdomen which is heart shaped when viewed from above. They prefer wood softened by decay, fungi or Styrofoam insulation, but they may enlarge cavities in wood made by other insects. They will occasionally strip the insulation from electrical or telephone wires which can cause short circuits. When disturbed, workers are quite aggressive and quick to bite and give off a repulsive odor. Inspection is the key to successful control.

Pavement Ants

This ant gets it's name from commonly locating it's nest in or under cracks in sidewalks and driveways and piling dirt removed from the nest in a mound on top of the pavement. These small brown to black ants can be distinguished by grooved markings on their head and thorax. Inside, pavement ants will nest in walls, in insulation, and under floors. The most likely place is in ground level masonry walls of the foundation and especially near some heat source. They often follow pipes which come through slabs for access to upper floors of buildings. Location of the nest and its treatment with residual is ideal. Try following the ants back from the food source. Baiting may be necessary.

Thief Ants

These ants get their name from their habit of nesting near or even in the nest of other ants, which they rob of food and brood (larvae and pupae). These ants are pale yellow to dark brown and closely resemble Pharaoh ants. The main difference is the segments and club on the antennae. These ants have been found feeding on dead rats and mice and, therefore, they might possibly carry disease-inducing organisms to human food. Inside, these ants nest in small crevices and in woodwork and masonry. They prefer proteins but will readily feed on sweets. Location is crucial in treating these ants. Baiting may be necessary.

Pharaoh Ants

Pharaoh Ants have been strongly implicated in the spread of various disease pathogens. They are very small (approx. 1/16 inch) with a pale, yellowish body. The colonies tend to be large with workers numbering in the thousands to hundred-thousands. Pharaoh Ants are common problems in commercial food handling establishments such as hotels, grocery stores, hospitals and in apartment complexes. They are of particular importance in hospitals where they will enter wounds, enter in-use IV bottles, seek moisture from sleeping infants, etc. They commonly use electrical and telephone wires as a highway system to travel through walls and between floors. They have a wide preference in food, ranging from syrups to fruits, pies, meats and dead insects. Be cautioned that typical use of liquid pesticides actually make the situation worse by causing the colony to fracture/bud in to several colonies. Baiting is usually the only method of effective control. If the Pharaoh Ant infestation is in a multifamily building, the only way such an infestation can be eliminated is to treat the entire building.

Little Black Ant

The little black ant, not surprisingly, is a very small, black ant about 1/16 inch. It is closely related to the Pharaoh ant and look like it except for its black coloration. This ant is common in wooded areas and can be a frequent invader of homes and other buildings. The colonies of little black ants are small and contain many queens which are considerably larger than the workers. Inside buildings, little black ant colonies are found in wall voids,cabinet voids, under edges of carpets and in the voids of masonry, such as brick or stone veneer on the outside of the structure. Most infestations originate from the outside. Indoors, trails occur along baseboards and under the edge of carpets. The natural food of little black ants is the honeydew. Indoors the little black ants feed on sweets, meats, grease, bread, oils, cornmeal and fruit juices. Management of little black ants is best accomplished by locating and eliminating the colonies found in or around the structure. A thorough inspection must be made inside and outside. If the colony cannot be located, a bait insecticide can be effective.

Crazy Ants

This ant's name comes from the workers habit of running haphazardly about a room/building in search for food. This small (1/16 - 1/8 inch) dark brown to black ant has a very distinguishing feature; it's antenna and legs are very long in comparison to the body size. Inside, these ants usually nest underneath floors and in wall voids, especially near hot water pipes and heaters. The workers visit food sources following regular trails, foraging up to 100 feet or more. The preferred foods are insects and sweets, but they will feed on almost any household food. Location of the nest is crucial to gaining control of the crazy ant infestation. Outside barrier treatments are effective, as is baiting.

For a FREE Inspection
with your FREE gift
Contact Central Exterminating

Contact information:

First name:

Last name:

Email address:

Phone:

Mailing address:

Request information on:

Service Request for:

Best way to contact you:

CALL

1-800-464-5722

Servicing all of Middlesex, Monmouth, Somerset, Union Counties

Be sure to save us a sample for identifying your pest!

Central Exterminating

44 West Ferris St.

Suite A

East Brunswick, NJ

08816

1-800-464-5722
(fax) 732-254-2214

             Members of New Jersey and National
           Pest Management Associations

                  DEP License - #90464A