What Types of Ants Live in Pittsburgh, PA & How Do I Know what Type? Carpenter, Odorous or Pavement Ant?

Ants are fairly commonplace to most; they are often spied outdoors hard at work, or even intruding in on your home or business. These little insects are notoriously obnoxious they invade homes and business and deliver stings that are unpleasant. Ants, being social insects, live in colonies, typically underground, but have also been known to build a nest in the walls, in trees, and other such places. Working for a common goal; caring for the queen, thousands of members of the colony are very effective at survival. Colonies are comprised of at least one queen, workers, and soldiers. The workers do everything from caring for the queen and younglings, foraging for food, constructing the nests and the soldiers protect the queen on the colony. Considering the general habits of ants, there are three common species found in the Pennsylvania borders; they are the Carpenter Ant, the Odorous Ant, and the Pavement Ant and we at Stewart Termite & Pest Control would like to divulge some information about these three more common ants of Pennsylvania.

Carpenter Ant

Carpenter ants are among the largest in the area, with black bodies and measuring in at approximately 5/8th of an inch in length. They construct their nests in damp wood for their colony; which can ultimately lead to damage of sound wood surfaces. Often mistaken for termites but unlike termites, these ants do not consume the wood they damage; they are simply removing small pieces in order to make room for their nests.

Odorous House Ant

Odorous house ants are smaller, ranging in size from 1/20th of an inch to 1/16th of an inch in length. When they are crushed, odorous house ants omit rotten coconut odor and will also emit the same odor when they feel threatened. They can sometimes feed on dead insects and other proteins and these ants are sweet-loving ants.

Pavement Ant

Pavement ants are a smaller ant, ranging in size at approximately 1/8th of an inch in length and are reddish brown to black in color. They can infest a building, especially ones with concrete slab foundations as well as nest in the cracks and crevices of pavement and stone landscape pavers. Pavement ants are omnivorous, meaning they will eat a variety of foods; often that includes sweets, sugary liquids, nectar, syrups, fruit, and protein such as deceased insects, as well as seeds, bringing everything back to the nest.

Ant Control

No matter which of these ants are invading your home, business or grounds, the specialists of Stewart Termite & Pest Control are experts and understand how each of these ants habits are, locate the nests, and set forth effective extermination treatments to ensure your home or business is well treated. With our state of the line products and equipment and the expertise of our specialists, your ant problem is quickly and efficiently rectified. Not only can these ants be a nuisance, but they can cause damage and be a potential health risk. Call Stewart Termite & Pest Control today for our ant and pest control service.