Knowing the differences in ant species is key when crafting a treatment plan. While most ants may look the same to the average eye, the team at Pointe specializes in all pest-related issues. There are many different kinds of ants in Swansea, but two species continue to be prevalent in the area year after year. Although they look similar upon first glance, odorous house ants and carpenter ants could not be more different in their general lifestyles and habitats. 

Odorous house ants seek out houses more than any other common ant species. These invasive insects keep their colonies under the floors and inside the walls, rather than in an anthill outside. They are tiny, measuring about 2.5 to 3.25 millimeters, and typically invade during rainy seasons. Odorous house ants get their name from the scent they release when squashed or threatened. If you have an ant problem and smell a rotten odor around the area, odorous house ants are the culprits behind the invasion.

Carpenter ants have many of the same destructive habits as termites, except for the fact that carpenter ants don’t consume the wood they cut through when creating their tunnels. These ants can be up to ½ of an inch long and seek out sweets and proteins for food, just like most ant species. Their sharp mandibles can cut through any kind of damaged wood, and the small holes and wood shavings they leave behind are the most evident signs of an invasion. Carpenter ants need to be treated immediately before they have a chance to cause extensive damages to your home. 

Since ants use pheromones to lead their fellow workers to a food source, a Swansea ant infestation can grow exponentially within a day or two. A kitchen full of ants is never an ideal situation, so it is a good idea to contact the professionals at Pointe as soon as possible.