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Ant Identification & Control
About Ants
Ants are social insects that belong to the family Formicidae. There are 455 types of ants in North America alone, but only around a dozen species actually invade homes and are regarded as pests.
Their colonies range from small groups to million-member supercolonies. While vital to outdoor ecosystems, they can damage structures and contaminate food indoors.
Effectively controlling ants usually requires removing attractants and sealing entry points.
Appearance
Ants range from 1–14 mm in size, and usually come in colors like black, brown, or red. They have bent antennae, powerful mandibles, and compound eyes, which are reduced in some subterranean species.
Their bodies consist of three distinct segments: the head, thoax, and abdomen. The thorax and abdomen are connected by a narrow waist with a structure called the petiole, which can have 1 or 2 nodes. This can be used to identify the subfamily:
If you’ve ever seen “flying ants,” they are the reproductive members of an ant colony, also known as alates or swarmers. They have two pairs of membranous wings, with the back pair being shorter than the front. Ant swarmers are often confused with termite swarmers due to their similar appearance. Here’s how to tell them apart.
Behavior
Ants generally prefer cool and damp locations and live in large and complex colonies that can consist of millions. They communicate with each other using pheromones. Foraging worker ants leave scent trails to food sources and release alarm signals like formic acid when threatened.
Ants build many different types of homes: some make simple little mounds out of dirt or sand; others use small sticks mixed with dirt and sand to make a stronger mound that offers protection from rain. Some ants also live in wood, like termites.
Risks
Ants are generally considered nuisance pests, although they occasionally cause food contamination and carpenter ants can weaken wood in structures.
Identification
Odorous House Ant
Odorous house ants (Tapinoma sessile) emit a rotten coconut smell when crushed, hence their name. They like to nest near sources of heat and moisture, such as heaters, water pipes, or wall voids.
Size: 1/16″ – 1/8″ (1.5 – 3 mm)
Color: Brown or black
Identifying Features
- Unevenly-shaped thorax (when viewed from the side)
- Narrow waist (petiole) with 1 node hidden under the abdomen
- Bent (geniculate) antennae without a clubbed tip
- 6 legs
Pavement Ant
Pavement ants (Tetramorium caespitum) build colonies under concrete and leave dirt mounds near entry points. These sidewalk dwellers will invade homes through basement gaps, floors, and windows while foraging for food.
Size: 3/32″ – 1/8″ (2.5 – 3 mm)
Color: Dark brown or black
Identifying Features
- Visible grooves on the head and thorax
- Narrow waist (petiole) with 2 nodes
- Bent (geniculate) antennae tipped with a 3-segmented club
- 6 legs
- Workers have a small stinger
ManhattAnt
Recently discovered in NYC in 2011, ManhattAnts (Lasius emarginatus) have since become the second most common type of ant in the city. This aggressive species competes fiercely with local species and thrives on aphid secretions and urban waste.
Size: 1/8” – 1/4” (3 – 6 mm)
Color: Dark brown and reddish-orange
Identifying Features
- Reddish-orange thorax
- Narrow waist (petiole) with 1 node
- Black head and abdomen
- Bent (geniculate) antennae without a clubbed tip
- 6 legs
Ghost Ant
Extremely small and hard to see due to their pale bodies, ghost ants (Tapinoma melanocephalum) can enter buildings through gaps around windows, doors, and soffits to infiltrate kitchens and bathrooms undetected.
Size: 1/20″ – 1/16″ (1.3 – 1.5 mm)
Color: Dark brown with pale, translucent abdomen and legs
Identifying Features
- Dark brown head and thorax
- Pale, almost translucent abdomen and legs
- Bent (geniculate) antennae without a clubbed tip
- 6 legs
Pharaoh Ant
Pharaoh ants (Monomorium pharaonis) get their name from a misconception about being one of ancient Egypt’s plagues. They are known as the most challenging household ant species to control due to their high reproduction rate. They also have the unique ability to form expansive primary colonies that propogate into smaller daughter colonies through “budding“, which become established indoors in difficult-to-access areas like wall voids.
Size: 1/16″ – 1/12″ (1.5 – 2 mm)
Color: Light yellow to reddish-brown
Identifying Features
- Slender body with a smooth texture
- Darker colored abdomen
- Narrow waist (petiole) with 2 nodes
- Bent (geniculate) antennae tipped with a 3-segmented club
- 6 legs
- Workers have small, non-functional stingers (for producing pheromones)
Black Carpenter Ant
The most common carpenter species in New York, black carpenter ants (Camponotus pennsylvanicus) tunnel through wooden structures. They favor damp wood, so areas of the house that are vulnerable to moisture (like windows, decks, etc.) are more likely to become infested. Infestations often signal hidden moisture issues. Unlike termites, they don’t eat wood and instead forage for sweets or proteins at night.
Size: 1/4″ – 1/2″ (6 – 14 mm)
Color: Dull black
Identifying Features
- Smooth, evenly-rounded thorax
- Abdomen covered in sparse, light-covered hairs
- Large mandibles capable of chewing through wood (may bite when threatened)
- Narrow waist (petiole) with 1 node
- Bent (geniculate) antennae without a clubbed tip
- 6 legs
Red Carpenter Ant
Less common than black species, red carpenter ants (Camponotus chromaiodes) share similar destructive habits.
Size: 1/4″ – 1/2″ (6 – 14 mm)
Color: Red and black
Identifying Features
- Dark-colored body that’s rusty red in the middle and darker in the front and rear
- Large mandibles capable of chewing through wood
- Narrow waist (petiole) with 1 node
- Bent (geniculate) antennae without a clubbed tip
- 6 legs with a rusty red hue
Chestnut Carpenter Ant
Unlike other carpenter ants, chestnut ants (Camponotus castaneus) prefer soil over wood and rarely cause structural harm. They occasionally invade homes but pose minimal risk.
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Size: 1/4″ – 3/8″ (7 – 10 mm)
Color: Reddish-brown or orange
Identifying Features
- Smooth, reddish-orange body with an evenly-rounded thorax
- Large mandibles capable of chewing through wood
- Narrow waist (petiole) with 1 node
- Bent (geniculate) antennae without a clubbed tip
- 6 legs
Control
How to Eliminate Ants
Successfully eliminating ants involves proper sanitation, moisture control, and exclusion. The goal is to remove nesting conditions and prevent colonies from returning.
Remove Attractants
- Clean up spills and food crumbs immediately.
- Keep food stored in airtight containers.
- Keep trash in bins with tight-fitting lids.
- Clean contaminated surfaces with a 50:50 vinegar and water solution to remove pheromone trails. You can also use lemon. Skip this step if you’re planning to use ant bait.
Reduce Moisture
- Promptly fix leaking roofs, chimney flashing, and plumbing issues.
- Keep attics and crawl spaces well ventilated to prevent condensation from building up.
- If possible, install moisture barriers (plastic sheets) over the soil in crawl spaces.
- Replace any water-damaged, decaying wood and eliminate wood-to-soil contact.
Block Entry
- Secure gaps around doors and windows with durable weather stripping.
- Use silicone caulk to close gaps and cracks in between baseboards, floors, around window/door frames, and where pipes or cables enter walls.
- Apply commercial ant repellents along cracks, window sills, baseboards, and the exterior perimeter of your home.
DIY Products
Aside from DIY methods, effective ant control also relies on strategic product selection. The right tools exploit ants’ biology—like their food-sharing habits and nesting behaviors—to eliminate colonies at the source. Always prioritize safety and follow label instructions when using these products:
- Ant Baits: Commercial ant baits work fine for any ant species except carpenter ants. Make sure to use carpenter ant-specific gels/granules for them. Strategically place them in areas out of reach of children and pets.
- Diatomaceous Earth: Use a duster to help spread the powder evenly throughout surfaces and in tight spaces. Note that they lose their effectiveness when wet, so use them in areas with little to no moisture contact.
- Insecticides: Apply sprays, dust, or foam directly into nest galleries. Pair with non-repellent baits.
FAQs
Why Do I Have Ants?
Ants invade homes seeking food or shelter. Some species search for nesting sites during breeding seasons, often targeting warm areas like walls, floors, or attics. Spring and summer rains often flood outdoor nests, forcing ants indoors. Warmer weather also triggers colony growth, increasing worker ants foraging in your home. Prevent invasions by using the sanitation and exclusion tips above.
What Are Signs of a Carpenter Ant Infestation?
Carpenter ant infestations start when part of a colony moves indoors, which expand and cause damage to wooden structures over time.
- Large Ants: The most obvious sign is spotting large worker ants foraging indoors signal an active nest nearby.
- Sawdust Piles: Carpenter ants don’t eat wood and discard wood shavings while tunneling. Check basements, attics, or firewood storage areas—shavings often mix with insect parts or debris.
- Holes in Wood: Look for small holes or openings in wooden structures where ants may be tunneling.
- Hollow Sounding Wood: Tap on wooden structures to see if they sound hollow, which could indicate that carpenter ants have hollowed out the interior.
- Rustling Noises: Listen for faint, dry crinkling sounds inside walls or wooden structures.
- Swarmers or Shed Wings: During the mating season, you might see winged ants (swarmers) emerging from walls, ceilings, or vents. After mating, swarmers shed their wings.
Our Services
Need help getting rid of ants? At MMPC, we offer effective, long-lasting ant control services to keep your home pest-free, including:
- Comprehensive Assessment & Treatment to diagnose the root cause of the infestation.
- Eco-Friendly Spraying & Baiting using EPA-approved, non-toxic treatments that are safe for your family and pets.
- Proofing (Exclusion) Services to professionally seal entry points and prevent future trouble.