Ants are one of the most annoying pests out there, and some of the hardest to get rid of. That’s because every colony has a queen that, depending on the species, is producing 2,000 to 10,000 eggs per day. That’s why spraying Raid on ants invading your home, while satisfying, is ultimately futile because for every 100 ants you kill the queen will make thousands more.
Why Do They Invade?
Ants are always on the lookout for food and moisture, which is why you’ll find them in areas like your kitchen, bathrooms, or other places in the house where food might have been left out for extended periods. Ants can also be displaced by heavy rains or nearby construction and they might decide to re-locate very near or sometimes even inside your home! Sometimes you’ll find winged ants, these are drones that are seeking out new places to establish new colonies so these are extra important to get rid of.
Types of Ants
Here are several types of ants that are common in the Southern Utah area:
Argentine Ants (Sugar Ants): These are the smaller ants (about 1/8th of an inch long) that are most likely to invade your kitchen for that Popsicle your child dropped under the fridge. Like their name suggests they like sugary foods, but will also feed on pretty much anything.
Pavement Ants: These ants get their names because, surprise, they like to build nests in the cracks of pavement, but also under patios and slabs as well. They are slightly larger and chunkier than sugar ants, and are usually black. They like greasy foods, meat, and dead insects, however, like most ants, they’ll eat pretty much anything.
Harvester ants: These guys are like the opposite of the pavement ant…instead of building under concrete they prefer open areas and fields. They build bigger mounds and tend to “clear cut” the areas around their nests forming a “nest disc”. They gather and feed on seeds mostly, hence the name “harvester”, and are the largest ant on this list. They have large mandibles for crushing seeds and have a painful bite, although they don’t usually bite unless provoked.
Get Rid of Them!
Of course there are many more types of ants, but no matter what kind of ant you’re having issues with, Newby’s Pest • Lawn • Weeds has your back! Give us a call today at 435-586-7337 and we’ll make those ants go away, or click the button below to schedule online:
