5 Common Myths About Ants

Ants can wreak havoc on your home. They can infiltrate your food and furniture and even cause structural damage to your house. You’ve probably heard of home remedies that promise to eliminate or deter ants around the house, but, unfortunately, these are mostly myths. Though some tips and tricks have roots in science, the only sure way to rid your home of these unwelcome visitors is through the help of a professional pest removal service.

Here are the facts behind popular myths about ants.

Common Facts About Ants

First things first — ants are a very common pest and not at all indicative of a messy home. They are nothing to be embarrassed about. They are, however, challenging to eliminate. Before we dive into the myths surrounding ant infestations, let’s take a look at the facts.

Types of Ants

Several types of ant species could be lurking around your property. Some of the most common are:

• Carpenter ants: Carpenter ants, or Camponotus, are black or deep red. Some workers can reach as much as half an inch in length. They form mating swarms around June, which is when you’re likely to see most of them.
• Cornfield ants: Cornfield ants, or Lasius alienus, are common ants that thrive outdoors and indoors. They are light or dark brown with large heads and mate from July through September.
• Pharaoh ants: Pharaoh ants, or Monomorium pharaonis, are usually a light yellow or red, with a dark thorax. Though they don’t have a mating swarm, they are known for their tendency to create multiple nests in a process called “budding.” They are especially common in shared spaces, like schools and apartment buildings.
• Pavement ants: Like the name suggests, pavement ants, or Tetramorium caespitum, gather near sidewalks, driveways and under home foundations. They are a deep reddish-brown, sometimes black, and mate through July.
• Odorous house ants: Odorous house ants, or Tapinoma sessile, are immediately recognizable when smashed because they leave behind a foul odor. They are various shades of dark brown and are known for nesting inside floors and walls. They mate during June and July.

 

Ants vs Termites

Most ants share the same basic anatomy — a head with antennae, then a thorax, then the abdomen. Though they share similarities with termites, there are a few key differences to watch for. Termites have no narrow waist, while ants have a constricted one. Termites’ antennae are straight with small beading, while ants’ antennae are more bent and angled. The most notable difference is color. While most ants are black, brown or red, termites are typically a translucent or off-white color. If you have an infestation but have yet to spot the culprit, inspect any wood tunneling. Smooth tunnels are an ant’s handiwork, while termites leave behind jagged, mud-filled tunnels.

Common Ant Behavior

Ants live and work in colonies, which house the workers, males, and queens. If you’ve seen ants scouring your kitchen for crumbs, they are likely worker ants, searching for a food source to supply the colony. Ants are drawn to any area that can offer food and shelter. They eat starches, sweets, fruit juices, fats, meat, decaying wood, and even other insects. Aphids and scale insects, in particular, secrete a honeydew liquid that acts as a magnet for hungry colonies.

Once in your home, ants will hide where they feel safest, usually not too far from their food source. You might find them around your moldings and baseboards, in corners or anywhere where there is a leak or moisture-damaged wood. When ants hunt for food, they leave behind a scent trail for others in the colony to follow. This is what you see when you spot lines of ants marching down the sidewalk or across your floor.

Common Myths About Ants

Now that we’ve covered the facts, let’s go through some of the common myths about ants:

Can a Clean Home Prevent Ants?

As we said before, ants are not a tell-tale sign of a messy home. They are not picky about the places they seek shelter. Think about it — when an ant or colony finds an entry point into your house, whether it be a crack in the doorway or a gap in the foundation, they have no idea what’s waiting on the other side. All they care about is that there is possible food, warmth, and shelter.

That said, a messy or disorganized house does make it harder to spot and eliminate an infestation. It can also provide easier access to food and shelter sources, like overflowing or unsealed trash cans and excess clutter.

Can Ants and Termites Coexist?

Ants have been known to eat termites, leading many homeowners to believe the two cannot exist in the same household at once. In reality, a dual infestation is entirely possible. While ants do eat termites, that doesn’t mean they necessarily will, or even can. Especially not if they’ve identified a more plentiful or tasty food source elsewhere in your home. Even if they do feast on a termite infestation, they won’t eliminate it all at once — they’ll take their time, leaving just enough termites to repopulate and continue their food supply.

It’s very possible to have both an ant and a termite problem. In some cases, one infestation might even encourage another. Termites, for instance, can eat through walls, allowing ants easier entry and vice versa.

Is One Ant a Sign of Infestation?

While there are exceptions, this is usually not the case. Even a few stray ants can indicate a much larger problem, particularly if you’ve experienced other warning signs of an infestation, such as:

• You hear a subtle, abnormal rustling sound coming from your walls, particularly at night.
• There are unexplained wood shavings or debris scattered around your home.
• You’ve seen ant mounds around your property.
• You have pest issues elsewhere on the property, like in a nearby garden.
• You have rotted or water-damaged wood somewhere in your home.
• You can visually identify possible entry points to your house.

 

How to Prevent Ants in Your Home

Save yourself the hassle of an infestation by taking preventive steps that minimize your chance of an ant infestation, including:

• Seal entryways: Take a walk around the inside and outside perimeters of your home and note potential entry points. Pay special attention to the foundation, doors, window frames and plumbing. Seal areas with caulking, if possible.
• Clean scent trails: Remember those scent trails we talked about? Even once the ants have left the room, it’s essential that you thoroughly erase any trace of that trail to avoid attracting more. Use soap and water, vinegar or a baking soda paste and scrub the area where the ants were traveling in a line. Mop your floors with a floor cleaner afterward.
• Seal food containers: Whenever possible, use sealable food containers to store pantry items, including potatoes, cereals and bread.
• Wash trash cans: Trash cans harbor a lot of bacteria and leftover food residue, which is a beacon for hungry ant colonies. Avoid this by regularly washing and drying your trash can.
• Inspect potted plants: Potted plants can bring pests into your home or attract existing ones, especially if you brought them from inside or purchased them from a big box store. Keep a close eye on all indoor plants and perform regular inspections of the soil and leaves for any signs of ants or other bugs. Try to buy potted plants from greenhouses or florists who know the proper procedures to protect plants.
• Fix leaks and moisture damage: Wet wood and cardboard can attract a host of unwanted pests. Fix leaking pipes and sinks immediately to avoid water and pest damage.
• Store firewood away from home: Instead of storing your firewood in your home, on your porch or against your foundation, keep it somewhere away from the house. Otherwise, you’re providing traveler ants easy access indoors.
• Keep pet bowls clean: Always wash and dry pet bowls to avoid build-up that could attract ants. This is especially important if you feed your pets wet food with strong scents and residue.