The general climate and topography of your region determines which ant species are most commonly seen. There are 3 frequent ant species in the greater St. Louis area.
Carpenter Ants – Camponotus
A carpenter ant infestation is often confused for a termite invasion upon first glance of the damage. One of the key differences is that carpenter ants don’t actually eat the wood; they just cut through the moist or decaying wood and leave the excess outside the hole. These ants are black or reddish in color, measuring about 3/8 to 1/2 of an inch in length. The workers have huge mandibles, or mouth parts, for cutting through wood. Carpenter ants eat sweets and protein just like most ant species, and typically forage for food at night. If you see tiny holes in damaged wood with the shavings on the ground, accompanied by ants crawling all around the scene, it is a full carpenter ant invasion and needs to be handled immediately.
Pavement Ants – Tetramorium caespitum
These ants get their name from their preferred habitat in and under concrete. They are the crafters behind the random small mounds of dirt on a sidewalk or driveway. Pavement ants are dark with lighter antennae and legs, and measure about 1/8 to 1/16 of an inch long. Since pavement ants will travel far and wide to find food for their colony, they can invade a home and its walls with ease. These ants eat meat, other insects, and grease, often seeking out the latter in restaurants and other greasy food-producing places. The workers will go to extensive lengths to protect the colony, such as carrying the queen’s eggs to a new location if the temperature changes. Pavement ants also come equipped with a stinger, so someone who touches them is at risk of being stung or bitten.
Odorous House Ants – Tapinoma sessile
The common ant species are all capable of invading a home, but odorous house ants set their sights on our houses from day one. They can invade in droves, hiding their colony behind walls and under the floor. Odorous house ants are about 2.5 to 3.25 millimeters in length, and have strangely-shaped thoraxes that are dark to match the rest of their bodies. Although they can live in many climates, odorous house ants often invade in the fall when the rainy season begins. They will feed on a wide range of items, including grease, sweets, dairy, insects, and meats. The “odorous” part of their name comes from the strong smell they emit when squished. It has been compared to rotten coconut or bleu cheese, neither of which are pleasant to have in the home.
Whether the ants pestering you are on this list or not, Pointe Pest Control solves ant problems with efficiency and care every time.
