Ants are some of the smallest and most common pests in Pennsylvania and Western New Jersey, and they typically go unnoticed until you have an infestation in your home. There are plenty of DIY products and in-store remedies to help you get rid of ants. With that being said, the most effective method of elimination and prevention is hiring professionals who specialize in pest control.

Controlling an ant infestation is often an overwhelming task to take on alone, especially if you don’t know what type of ant is invading your home. At Seitz Bros., not only can we help you get control of your ant problem, but we accurately identify what type of ant is taking over your space.

Three Common Types of Ants in Your Home

It can be difficult to distinguish one type of ant from another. Although there are over 10,000 different species of ants worldwide, you’re most likely to experience an infestation from a carpenter, pharaoh, or pavement ant.

Check out some of the characteristics of each ant to help you correctly identify your pest problem.

Odorous House Ants

Odorous house ants get their name from the smell they give off once crushed, which is a rotten coconut-like smell. Attracted to moisture, these ants are found both indoors and outdoors. While they don’t pose any health risks, they can end up contaminating food and should be avoided altogether. Although odorous house ants are found throughout the United States, they are the #1 ant problem in the Northeast. Here’s a few ways to identify odorous house ants:

1/16″ – 1/8″ in size
Brown or black
6 legs
Segmented; oval shape with antennae

Carpenter Ants

Carpenter ants can cause structural and cosmetic damage to a home as they are attracted to decaying or damp wood. A carpenter ant colony may grow within the walls of your home before you notice any damage. Carpenter ants are:

½ to ¼ inch in size
Black, reddish, or brown
Worker carpenter ants have large mandibles (or jaws)

Pharaoh Ants

Pharaoh ants are notorious in the pest control community as being some of the most difficult ants to control due to their small size and persistent nature. Pharaoh ants can spread disease and cause a variety of health issues.

Due to their size, they can enter a structure through the smallest of cracks and are attracted to sweets, dead insects, and food. Pharaoh ants are:

Typically less than 1/16 of an inch in size
Light yellow with black and red markings
12-segmented antennae

Pavement Ants

Although pavement ants prefer to live outside near sidewalks or the patio in your backyard, they do venture inside looking for food. Whether your pavement ant infestation is in your basement or your yard, it can be difficult to treat on your own, especially during mating. Pavement ants may sting if they feel threatened. Pavement ants are:

¼ inch in size
Light brown or black
Lighter colored appendages

See Ants? Take These Steps

If you see one ant, it’s safe to say that there are more crawling around in your walls, between the cracks, and building nests where you can’t see them. Your ant problem will not go away on its own and some pest control methods are ineffective.

Want to get rid of your ants for good? Follow these steps:

Step 1: Call Seitz Bros. today for a free estimate.
Step 2: Avoid trying to treat your ant problem before our team of experts can properly identify the type of ant invading your property.
Step 3: Schedule a time that works best for you. The pest control technicians at Seitz Bros. always strive to accommodate your schedule.
Step 4: Watch your pest control problem disappear and eliminate your stress and worry.

At Seitz Bros., we help you through every step of the pest control treatment process. Whether you have general questions about ants in your home or you need to get rid of a damaging infestation, our experts are trained to answer any questions and provide the best solution for you.