Ants in the Pantry? Here’s What Southern Utah Folks Need to Know (and Do)
They say you can’t pick your neighbors, but nobody asked for ants to move in. If you’ve got these tiny intruders lining up like they’re in a Fourth of July parade across your kitchen counter, don’t worry—you’re not alone. Here in Southern Utah, ant invasions are as common as red rock sunsets. But good news: you don’t have to live with ‘em.
Let’s break down what kinds of ants call this place home, what kind of damage they can do, and most importantly—how to show them the door.
Know Thy Enemy: The Ants Marching Through Southern Utah
Around these parts, ants aren’t just background bugs—they’re little demolition teams with no respect for boundaries. Here are the usual suspects you’re likely to run into in your home, yard, or (worst of all) your snack drawer:
- Carpenter Ants – The Homewreckers
You’ll usually spot these big, black ants in places like crawlspaces, wall voids, or your woodpile. Unlike termites, they don’t eat wood—but they do chew it up to build their nests. Over time, they can weaken support beams, window frames, and even decking.
Warning sign: If you hear a faint rustling in the walls at night… yep, it might be them.
“We found a carpenter ant colony in a customer’s garage wall once that looked like a little bug hotel.”
- Pavement Ants – The Sidewalk Squatters
These are the ones building ant hills in sidewalk cracks, driveways, and patios. They’re small, dark brown to black, and extremely social. Leave a single potato chip out, and they’ll send in a search party. Then a cleaning crew. Then the whole dang neighborhood.
They’re mostly a nuisance indoors—but if they nest near your foundation, they’ll creep into wall voids, insulation, and floorboards.
- Odorous House Ants – The Stinky Sugar Fiends
Crush one and you’ll get hit with the unmistakable smell of rotten coconut. These guys LOVE sweets and will swarm kitchen counters, sinks, and food storage areas. Worse? You think you’ve wiped them out—and then they come back with a vengeance. Odorous ants are hard to kill without professional treatment because their colonies split up when threatened.
“One time we treated a home in St. George where these ants had found their way into a cereal box inside a Ziploc bag. Persistent little devils.”
- Fire Ants – The Aggressors
They sting, they bite, and they don’t back down. Fire ants are reddish-brown and build mounds in sunny areas—lawns, gardens, or next to driveways. Disturb them, and they attack fast. For kids, pets, or anyone with allergies, a run-in with fire ants can turn serious.
Watch for raised mounds, especially after rainfall.
Not sure which kind of ants are causing trouble at your place? We’ve got a simple guide that breaks down the different types we see here in Southern Utah—and how we treat each one. Check out our ant info page here.
What Kind of Damage Can Ants Actually Do?
They may be tiny, but ants can cause big-time headaches. A few scouting across your baseboards can quickly turn into thousands if they find a reason to stick around. Here’s how their uninvited stay can hurt your home and your peace of mind:
- Structural Damage: Carpenter ants are the worst offenders here. Over time, their tunneling weakens beams, joists, and siding—and once they’re in, they don’t leave without a fight.
- Food Contamination: Ants are notorious pantry raiders. They crawl across your counters, in your sugar bowl, and right through sealed packaging. Anything they touch is fair game for tossing.
- Wiring Nightmares: While less common, some ant species (especially crazy ants, which occasionally show up in RVs and trailers) chew on wires. They can short out electronics, HVAC systems, or outdoor lighting.
- Landscaping Trouble: Fire ant mounds and general ant hills can ruin the look of your lawn and make yardwork a minefield. Plus, when ants move in, other pests tend to follow.
Bottom line? The longer you wait, the bigger the colony grows—and the more damage they can do. Ants don’t just show up for snacks. They come to stay unless you kick ‘em out properly.
Ant Bites, Stings & Other Itchy Things
Some ants are mostly annoying. Others are downright nasty. And if you’re in the wrong place at the wrong time (like reaching into a flower bed full of fire ants), you might find out the hard way.
- Carpenter & Pavement Ants: These guys are more bark than bite. They can nip if disturbed, but it’s rare—and usually mild.
- Odorous Ants: No bites, no stings. Just that unforgettable rotten coconut smell when you crush one.
- Fire Ants: The true troublemakers. They latch on with their jaws, then sting multiple times with their back end. The stings feel like a burning prick and can leave behind red, swollen welts that blister over in some folks.
For most people, fire ant stings are painful but manageable. For seniors, small children, or anyone allergic to insect venom, they can be serious.
What to do if you get stung:
- Wash with soap and cool water
- Apply ice to reduce swelling
- Use hydrocortisone cream or antihistamines for itching
- Keep an eye on symptoms—if there’s severe swelling, trouble breathing, or dizziness, call 911 right away
DIY Tips to Keep Ants Off Your Turf
You don’t need to be a pro to start showing ants the door. A little effort goes a long way when it comes to keeping your home uninviting to pests. Here’s how you can defend your domain:
- Seal up cracks and gaps: Ants are sneaky. Use weather stripping, door sweeps, and silicone caulk around windows, doors, and foundation cracks.
- Clean up food fast: A dropped crumb is like ringing the dinner bell. Wipe counters, sweep floors, and don’t let dirty dishes sit overnight.
- Take out the trash often: And clean the can, too—sticky spills in the bottom attract more bugs than you’d think.
- Store food in airtight containers: Especially sugar, cereal, flour, and pet food. If ants can’t smell it, they’re less likely to invade.
- Try natural repellents: Vinegar spray, cinnamon, peppermint oil, or lemon juice can mask ant trails and disrupt their sense of direction.
- Tend your yard: Trim back branches that touch your roof or walls (ant highways), fix any leaky spigots or hoses, and clear away yard clutter.
And here’s the big one:
- Control the weeds: Overgrown weeds aren’t just an eyesore—they’re a pest playground. Tall grass, brush piles, and tangled flower beds give ants a shady spot to nest and hide. That’s why our weed control service is one of the best-kept secrets for preventing pest problems before they start.
FAQs (Yup, Real Questions We Hear All the Time)
Are ants dangerous?
Some can be—especially fire ants. Others are just messy freeloaders.
How do I know what kind of ant I have?
Snap a photo and send it to us. We’re pretty good at bug bingo.
How do I get rid of ants permanently?
You need more than a spray can. We tackle nests, entry points, and even treat the yard.
Is pest control safe for pets and grandkids?
Absolutely. We use family-safe treatments and always give you the heads-up on what to expect.
How long does treatment last?
Most of our treatments hold up 60-90 days, depending on weather and yard conditions.
Call in the Local Pros
At Newby’s Pest Control, we’re not just a phone number—we’re your neighbors. Cash started out workin’ for Big Tom himself, and now he runs the show with the same heart and hustle. So if ants are making themselves a little too at home, give us a ring.
Call or text Cash at (435) 586-7337 or schedule online. We’ll be there quicker than ants at a picnic.
Newby’s Pest Control – Same game, different name. Proudly serving Kanab, St. George, Cedar City, and all across Washington, Iron, Kane, and Garfield counties.
