Whether it’s tiny fire ants invading your kitchen, or large carpenter ants creeping around your bathroom, an ant infestation can quickly turn into a genuine issue.
They are capable of stinging, contaminating food, and damaging wood or drywall.
The most common ants in Baltimore, MD can also be extremely hard to eliminate without the assistance of a residential pest control expert – you need professionals.
Consequently, identifying the species of ants invading your Baltimore home can help in implementing effective prevention strategies. Phenom Pest Protection will delve into all you need to know about the most common ants we’ve found in Baltimore, MD homes and businesses.
Common Ants Found in Baltimore
Several species of ants are commonly found in Baltimore. Each species of ant has its own unique characteristics – that can make them more difficult to get rid of.
Acrobat Ants
As the name suggests, acrobat ants are known for their unique heart-shaped abdomen. These small ants can invade homes through tiny cracks in the foundation or gaps around windows and doors. They can contaminate your food and sting when threatened.
Argentine Ants
Argentine ants range from 1.6 to 2.8 millimeters in length, with queens measuring about 4.2–6.4 millimeters. These ants establish colonies in crevices in concrete pillars, within boards or timbers, or even in the walls of human homes. They usually build shallow nests behind tiny stones or fallen leaves. Argentine ants are notorious for invading rapidly and eating all other types of insects within the same ecosystem.
Carpenter Ants
Carpenter ants can cause significant structural damage to your home. Unlike termites, carpenter ants don’t eat wood but carve through it to create tunnels for their colonies. They vary from ¼ of an inch to nearly one inch long.
These ants usually nest in wood with moisture issues. If you suspect activity, contacting a pest control company immediately for damage assessment and management solutions is crucial.
Odorous House Ants
These small ants, measuring 2.4mm to 3.3mm in length, are easily identifiable by their rotten coconut smell when crushed. Odorous house ants have a penchant for sweet food, so they are often found in kitchens, around pet food, and in bathrooms.
Pavement Ants
Pavement ants, significantly smaller than carpenter ants, reach only 1/8 of an inch long. They are typically a black or dark brown color, and as their name suggests, these ants commonly form colonies beneath pavement, pavers, or along walkways.
You can identify a pavement ant colony by its mound-shaped entrance made of dirt or soil, resembling a miniature volcano. While these ants are primarily only an unsightly nuisance, their colonies can increase to enormous sizes if left untreated.
What to Do When Ants Invade
Regardless of the species in your home or on your property, preventive measures for ant infestations often involve similar strategies – such as sealing cracks in your home’s foundation and maintaining cleanliness, especially in the kitchen area.
However, even with proper precautionary measures, an ant infestation can still occur.
A common response might be to grab a can of insect spray from the local hardware store, but while it may offer a temporary fix – all those ants will likely return.
If you genuinely want to keep these unwanted ants from your home permanently, the best course of action is to reach out to us at Phenom Pest Control today.
You may need the services of a professional pest control company. At Phenom Pest Protection, our team of local professionals offer residential and commercial pest control services, providing guaranteed and customizable solutions for your specific needs. If you’re dealing with an ant infestation in Baltimore, MD, don’t hesitate. Call our pest experts today!
