Most Common Ants to Avoid in New Jersey Homes During Spring

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Have you noticed that it is getting nicer outside? Well, if you’ve noticed, you can bet the ants around your home have noticed it too. The warm weather of spring brings ants back to life–not that they were dead but–during the winter, ants become dormant. It isn’t, however, a hibernating sleep that is run by a biological clock. As soon as it warms up, ants get busy. And they’re getting busy right now. That is why it is important to learn a little bit about those ants now, before they start becoming a problem for you.

IDENTIFICATION OF ANTS IN NEW JERSEY

• Carpenter Ants: This ant can be as much as 1/2 an inch in length, making it the largest ant that will get into your Ashland home. It may be black, dark red, yellowish, or a combination of these, depending on the species. It has a single node between its thorax and abdomen that should be easy to see.
• Pavement Ants: This ant is around 3 mm in length. It can be any variation of color from dark brown to black. Its head and thorax have grooved parallel lines, and its thorax has a pair of tiny spines that extend backward from its rear end. This is a 2-node ant.
• Pharaoh Ants: This ant is around 1.5 mm in length. It is yellow to orange in color and has an abdomen that is capped with a dark brown. Since this ant is so small, you’ll have a hard time seeing the 2 nodes between its thorax and abdomen.
• Odorous House Ants: This ant grows to be about 3 mm long. It is dark brown to black with a beehive-shaped abdomen and a single, flat, hidden node between its thorax and abdomen.

Be aware that the above sizes are for worker ants. Queens, kings, and winged reproductive alates (WINGS) are larger. Of the 4 pest ants listed above, carpenter ants are the worst. They cause damage to homes by burrowing tunnels and galleries in wood. They are the ants you need to be able to recognize most.

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU SEE ANTS IN YOUR NEW JERSEY HOME

Each of the ants listed above must be properly identified, tracked, and treated with the control method that is best suited to arrest the infestation. If you’d like to avoid frustration, contamination of your foods, and possible damage to your home, contact Total Home Pest Control. We’ll help you identify, isolate, and eliminate those ants. For information, or to schedule a free inspection, reach out to us for immediate assistance.

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