Ants are a common problem for property owners across the U.S. Once the land has thawed out and the weather begins to warm, they seem to appear out of nowhere. One ant hill multiplies into many in very little time, and before long you're sure to start seeing them inside your home.

The natural outdoors may be their preferred habitat, but that doesn’t keep them from finding their way into your Central New York property. Once inside, ants build their nests in discreet and inaccessible locations.

What ants lack in size, they make up for in numbers. Each year, these tiny critters create millions of dollars in property damage. They can also be a tremendous threat for those who have allergies or have experienced a swarm of repeated stings.

The safest way to handle ants is to stop them in their tracks before they have a chance to invade. Team up with an experienced ant control professional for your Central New York property today.

Ant Identification

Identifying what ant species you're dealing with can be difficult, but there are some factors that can help you.

Fire ants are the most easy to identify due to their coloration and their notorious stings. The severe burning sensation that follows a fire ant bite helped fire ants earn their well-deserved name. Fire ants are dark, reddish-brown in color, with segmented, oval-shaped bodies. They have six legs and antennae, and average around 1/10 – ¼ in length. There are both structural and health-related dangers associated with fire ants. They are well known for their territorial behavior. If anyone goes near their nests, they will aggressively attack and defend the site.

Fire ants are notorious for their venomous stings that generate intense pain. A single fire ant can sting a person repeatedly during an attack. Multiple stings from a number of fire ants can be dangerous, and in some cases deadly. Those with allergies are more susceptible to fire ant-related health risks.

Other ants you could be facing include Argentine ants, odorous house ants, pavement ants, little black ants, and the dreaded carpenter ants.

Argentine ants are minuscule black ants that grow from 1/16 to 1/4 inch in length, and range in color from light brown to black. Their bodies are typical for ants, with six legs, an oval-shaped body, and two 12-segmented antennae.

Odorous house ants are small and brown or black in color. They are a smaller ant species reaching about 1/8 inch in length. Odorous house ants are named for the foul odor they give off when crushed.

Pavement ants range in color from dark brown to black, growing to about 1/8 of an inch long. As their name suggests, they are most commonly found on sidewalks around homes.

Little black ants are very small, at only roughly 1.5mm (.06 inches) long with black coloration and a two-segmented waist. They are most commonly seen from June to August, their swarming period.

Carpenter ants are generally much larger than other ant species, ranging from 1/8 to 1/2 inch in length. They can range in color from black to light red or even yellow. They are also by far the most dangerous to your home, due to their tendency to tunnel into the wood in your walls, floors, and/or foundation.

No matter what ant you've come across, the best solution is always to call a professional immediately for help. Protect your Central New York property from unwanted ants with the help of a reliable pest control professional. It’s the easiest way to ensure the health and safety of everyone who comes in contact with your space.

Issues That Arise With Ant Infestations

During their search for food, moisture, and nesting sites, ants tend to migrate into structures. They build their homes in inaccessible locations in wall voids, hollow doors, cabinetry cavities, and any other cracks and crevices that keep them safely hidden.

Ant colonies tend to expand at a rapid pace, and ants are incredibly resilient. The sheer number of ants within a colony heightens their chances of survival during an attempted extermination. This is partly due to the fact that ant colonies have multiple reproductive queens tirelessly working to keep the population on an upward trend.

When ant nests are disturbed, they will abandon their site in search of a safer location. It may appear as if your attempts to eliminate them were successful for a short period of time, but their colonies will bounce back with a vengeance.

Your Best Defense Against Ants

Pestmaster® Services’ Central New York branch is a veteran-owned and -operated pest control company. We deliver a friendly and reliable service you expect from your local small businesses.

Central New York Pestmaster® Services utilizes the collective knowledge of our chemist, entomologist, and qualified staff, to provide safe, effective, and sustainable solutions. All of our pest control treatments are eco-friendly verified.

Our pest management professionals use an integrated approach to provide the best insights into pest behavior and control. We are prepared to handle all of your pest management needs, no matter how big or small they may be.