Ants anywhere but in your home are incredibly important to the ecosystem. They are masters in aerating the soil, recycling organic material, feeding other animals and insects, and providing an important source of protein for many people in different parts of the world. In our homes, though, they are nuisances and can be dangerous to the structure of our homes.

Ants like many other insects are most active in the summer, warmer months.  In a matter of about two months, ant eggs will develop into larva then into pupae before exiting from cocoons as ants. Ants are either workers or reproductive ants, predetermined by the role they play.  Worker ants feed and look after the queen, search for food, defend the nest, and care for the young. Reproductives, reproduce.

From barbeques in Blairstown to a birthday party in Alpha, ants are opportunistic eaters attracted to sticky liquids and sweet foods as well as crumbs on counters or food in pantries. Once inside your home, they also typically find their way into food boxes and any unsealed storage containers.

Of the three primary species that enter homes in New Jersey: carpenter ants will do the most damage and are the largest, odorous house ants are small but show up in crowds, and pavement ants over time can create havoc with your foundations.

Types of Ants:

Carpenter Ants

  • These ants can damage structures. They do not ‘build’ like carpenters, nor do they eat wood. They excavate space creating tunnels for nesting sites and trails to foraging areas.
  • Carpenter ants like many ants feed on honeydew-producing insects such as aphids.
  • They will find access to nesting sites within homes under insulation, in crawlspaces, or in attics.
  • Often, they are found in damp wood like decks, woodpiles, or porches, carpenter ants create tunnels by chewing up damp pieces of wood with their strong jaws.
  • Carpenter ants are not dangerous to humans, they are destructive to your home.

Odorous House Ants

  • Temporary homes will be found under pieces of wood or debris in landscaping. These ants are not known to bite, and they do not sting.
  • Like many ants, these ants will forage on honeydew from aphids living in vegetation.
  • If there are plants or vegetation close to a home, it will provide easy access to the ants. Houses need to be away from vegetation so ants cannot trail into your home.  These ants are very small and do not need much space to get inside a home.
  • While they do not cause structural damage, due to the large numbers they are frustrating to homeowners.
  • They are named for the almost sweet smell they give off when they are crushed, these ants are especially attracted to food left behind in trash cans and countertops. They tend to forage in swarms and can be found on floors and counters where they find sweet liquids and foods.

Pavement Ants

  • These ants will nest under rocks or pavement. Pavement ants nest under pavement, stone, wood, and building slaps and can swarm inside of buildings built on slabs.
  • Homeowners will be aware of these ants as they mine the sand and soil from under concrete slabs, patios, sidewalks, driveways, or basements.
  • These ants do possess a stinger.  You will not get stung easily unless the ant is caught in close circumstances.
  • These ants will also forage into structures on food items and will feed anything sweet or greasy.
  • As these ants are underground and have multiple queens, management is challenging as they swarm under your foundation.

Workers who are blind, are soft-bodied and look like larvae. The termite's damage wood to get to what they are really after, which is the cellulose from which wood is made. Cellulose is the main component found in the cell walls of wood, plants, and grass. To feed the growing colonies, they will devour anything that contains cellulose.

In the springtime, subterranean swarmers, the reproductive termites, emerge from the nest to mate and create a new colony. While you may see swarmers themselves flying, it is more likely you will see discarded clumps of wings near closed doors and windows. Termites shed their wings once they land because they no longer need them.

Termites do serve an ecological purpose; they are important decomposers. They break down tough plant fibers, disposing of dead and decaying trees and turning them into the new soil. These hungry insects are vital to the health of our forests. As they tunnel, termites also aerate the soil. In your home, however, they cause damage to wood. There are actions you can take to limit the possibilities of termites in your home.

Calling the professionals at Victoria Pest Control to come to assess  and resolve your ant infestation is your best chance at having an ant-free summer.