Ants are commonly associated with ruining our food, invading our kitchens, and being a complete nuisance. However, as similar as each ant seems, every type has its own traits that set it apart and make it easier to know how to eliminate each O’Fallon ant species.

Odorous house ants are the most common house-invaders, hence the name. They are one of the few that actually want to live inside our homes, and often keep their colonies hidden behind walls or underneath the floorboards. These ants are dark-colored and about 2.5 to 3.25 millimeters long. They enjoy just about any kind of food we have, but their frequent targets are meats, grease, and sweets. The “odorous” in odorous house ants comes from the strange scent they release when squished. If you squash a couple of ants and start smelling rotten coconut or bleu cheese, the invaders are very likely odorous house ants.

Pavement ants like to live under concrete, which can make it very easy for them to march right into houses and businesses due to the amount of concrete around most places. These ants are about 1/16 to 1/8 of an inch long, and have lighter antennae and legs compared to their dark bodies. They are more willing to travel far in search of food compared to other ants, so finding pavement ants inside your home does not necessarily mean their nest is right outside the front door. Pavement ants surprisingly have a secret weapon: their stingers. They will repeatedly sting anyone who touches them or ruins their nest, so it is best to avoid touching these ants directly. 

Acrobat ants eat smaller insects and honeydew from aphids, so the only real food they would want from us is sugar. The real problem with these ants is their habitat preferences. They like to nest in damp, moisture-damaged areas, like damp firewood, stumps, logs, and leaky roofs. Acrobat ants are a little over 5 millimeters long and reddish-brown, and can also emit a strong odor when disturbed. Their name comes from the strange habit they have of raising their abdomens high when they feel threatened.

Anyone who has experienced an ant invasion can testify that it is such a uniquely frustrating experience. It’s not enough to have to deal with an entire insect army invading your home; since ants target our food, they can contaminate any food items they find in the pantry or cabinets. Instead of allowing these pesky scavengers to ruin your latest grocery haul, give Pointe Pest Control a call! We are always here to provide you with the environmentally-friendly and efficient treatments that will kick ants to the curb.