Ants are social insects, meaning they live and work together in large groups – makes controlling and eliminating these pests difficult and frustrating. Ants are most problematic on properties that offer easy access to food and water close to their nesting sites. Ants nest in a variety of places, including lawns, parks, fields, wooded areas, golf courses, and other outdoor spaces. They forage for food in our trash cans, recycling bins, outdoor eating areas, and garden areas. When living outside close to our homes, it is only a matter of time until these household invaders move indoors to search for food or a safe place to build a satellite nest.

You can identify ants by their three distinct body regions (head, thorax, and abdomen) and two bent antennae; reproductive members (fertile males and queens) have wings. Depending on the specific species, ants range in size and color, but are usually black, brown, red, or yellow. Many species of ants, such as odorous house ants and harvester ants, are nuisance pests, and pose no significant risks to people or property. However, some species carry and transmit things like salmonella, streptococcus, and more, which pose health risks to people. Other species of ants, such as fire ants, are problematic because they are extremely aggressive and will deliver painful bites or venom-filled stings to any person or animal they view as a threat.

Ant prevention tips: Keep invading ants out by sealing gaps your home’s foundation, exterior walls, and spaces around the utilities entering into your home. Make sure all exterior doors have door sweeps installed on them and that all window and door screens are intact. Remove standing water from your property. Create a stone barrier between any mulch or soil and your home’s foundation. Make sure your outdoor trash cans and compost bins have tight-fitting lids on them, and store both off the ground and away from the exterior walls of your home.