Not all ants are the same, different species require different approaches. There are over 700 different ant species in the US. Here’s the most common types we see in Southern Utah:
1. Sugar Ants/Odorous House Ant
- Appearance: Tiny, brown to black ants
- Behavior: Attracted to sweets and moisture, often invade kitchens and bathrooms in large numbers forming lines
- Risks: Can contaminate food, can be a nuisance as they emit a foul “rotten coconut” smell when crushed, and will establish satellite nests in the home, leading to prolonged infestations.
2. Pavement Ants
- Appearance: Small, brown to black ants
- Behavior: Nest under sidewalks, driveways, and building foundations.
- Risks: Can enter homes through cracks and become persistent indoor invaders
3. Fire Ants
- Appearance: Small red ants with a black abdomen with a stinger
- Behavior: Build soil mounds in yards, fields, and near foundations, typically aggressive if their nests are disturbed
- Danger: Painful stings can cause allergic reactions; particularly hazardous to children and pets
4. Big-Headed Ants
- Appearance: Large reddish ant with an oversized head, often confused with fire ants despite larger size
- Behavior: Form supercolonies, create large soil mounds, invasive and will often displace native ants
- Danger: Can invade homes in large numbers, contaminating food and surfaces, and can be particularly difficult to eliminate on larger properties
5. Carpenter Ants
- Appearance: Large black or red ants
- Behavior: Nest in wood, especially moist or damaged wood
- Risks: Can cause significant structural damage if left untreated
Why Ants Are More Than Just a Nuisance
- Health Hazards: Ants can contaminate food and surfaces with bacteria
- Structural Damage: Carpenter ants tunnel through wood, weakening structures
- Bites & Stings: Fire ants and some other species bite or sting, causing pain or allergic reactions
- Allergies & Reactions: Some individuals may experience serious symptoms from ant encounters and it’s never fun to find out who
- Persistent Invasions: Once inside, ants are hard to eliminate without the proper knowledge, tools, or resources
Our Proven Ant Treatment Method: Bait-Based Colony Elimination
Rather than killing the ants visible with a spray, we used baited granules that circulate through the whole colony, killing the workers and the queen.
Why We Use Baits:
- Long-Term Control: Worker ants carry the bait back to the colony, eliminating it at the source
- Less Intrusive: No need for spraying every corner of your home