Nobody likes tiny ants in their house. These pests range from totally harmless to aggressive and dangerous. Check out this guide to tiny ants in Las Vegas, including the common types, why they’re in your house, and how you can get rid of them for good.
Common Types of Tiny Ants in Las Vegas
There are over a dozen types of common ants in Las Vegas. A few of the more common include the following:
Acrobat ants
are about 1/8 inch long, are light brown to black, and have a heart-shaped abdomen. They generally nest outside in leaves, soil, or wood, and inside insulation and timber previously tunneled out.
Argentine ants
are about 1/8 inch long and honey brown to black with a striped abdomen. They nest under logs, in debris and mulch, and concrete slabs. They’re among the most invasive species in the world.
Big-headed ants
are about 1/10 of an inch long and yellow-brown to red-brown or black with a large head. They invade and wipe out other ant colonies.
Carpenter ants
are giant black ants up to 1/2 inch long that nest in damp wood and can cause severe structural damage to your home. They do not eat wood; they burrow into it to nest.
Ghost ants
are dark brown to black with a translucent abdomen.
Moisture ants are yellow to brown and nest in damaged wood.
Odorous ants look like carpenter ants and enjoy moist places to nest around heaters and hot water pipes.
Pavement ants are dark brown or black and up to 1/10 inch in size. They nest under or around concrete slabs. They can sting, but they usually don’t.
Pharaoh ants are yellow to reddish-brown and are common indoor pests. They can feed on some fabrics and rubber.
Why Ants Invade Homes
Ants invade homes for the same reason as any other pest: to find food. Most ants look for sweets, fats, oils, and high-protein foods. Many use a pheromone trail to guide others in their colony to the food source once found, which is why you tend to see many in one area.
Signs of an Infestation
The most outright sign of an ant infestation is seeing ants in your house. If you see just one or two, they could be scouts. If you see more than that, you’ve likely got a party going on somewhere. If you see small piles of sawdust, this can be a sign of a carpenter ant infestation. Look for bits of food, especially piles of dust, near sweet foods that aren’t secured.
Getting Rid of Ants in Your House
The first step in getting rid of ants is to make your home inhospitable. Keep your house clean. Keep your food sealed in secure containers, clear your garbage frequently and
install weather stripping, screens, and door sweeps. Don’t stack wood or debris near the building, and keep your gutters clear.
Getting rid of ants is a tricky prospect. Traps and sprays are only a band-aid fix. To get rid of ants permanently, you need help from the pros. Contact Dr. Death Pest Control today!