All About Ants
Exploring the Fascinating World of Ants: Nature's Master Architects
Quick Facts about Ants
Ants Identification Guide
Physical Characteristics
Ants are small insects with three distinct body segments: head, thorax, and abdomen. They have six legs, bent antennae, and powerful mandibles for carrying food and defending their colony. Most ants range from 1/16 to 1/2 inch in size, depending on the species. While many are black or brown, some species can have red, yellow, or even metallic-colored bodies.
Common Species
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Odorous House Ants – Small, dark brown to black ants that emit a rotten coconut smell when crushed.
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Pavement Ants – Brown to black ants that build nests in cracks of sidewalks and foundations.
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Carpenter Ants – Large black ants that can cause structural damage by hollowing out wood to build nests.
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Acrobat Ants – Small, reddish-brown ants that raise their heart-shaped abdomens when disturbed.
Ants Behavior and Biology
Ants are social insects that live in colonies with a caste system consisting of workers, soldiers, and queens. The colony can grow to massive numbers, ranging from a few dozen to millions. Ants communicate using pheromones, creating scent trails to food sources. Depending on the species, they may nest underground, in wood, or inside walls. Some ants, like carpenter ants, can be particularly destructive, tunneling through wood and weakening structures over time.
How We Treat for Ants
We take a two-step approach to eliminate ants and keep them from coming back:
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Initial Treatment – A licensed technician inspects the interior and exterior of the home, identifying hotspots like kitchens, bathrooms, and basements. We apply a non-repellent insecticide in cracks and crevices so ants spread the material throughout their colony, eliminating it at the source. A perimeter treatment is applied outside, creating a barrier around your home.
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Ongoing Maintenance – Because most ant control products break down in about 90 days, we return quarterly for maintenance treatments, reinforcing the barrier and preventing reinfestation. If you ever notice ants between visits, we provide free unlimited callbacks to retreat the issue at no additional cost.
Common Questions about Ants
How do I know if I have an ant problem?
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Signs of an infestation include visible ant trails, piles of sawdust-like material (from carpenter ants), and food contamination in the kitchen. If you see ants frequently inside your home, they’ve likely established a colony nearby.
What attracts ants to my home?
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Food, moisture, and shelter. Ants are drawn to crumbs, sugary spills, pet food, and even water sources like leaky pipes. Keeping food sealed and fixing moisture issues can help reduce the risk of infestation.
Are carpenter ants dangerous?
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Carpenter ants don’t eat wood like termites, but they tunnel through it, causing structural damage over time. If left untreated, they can weaken beams and supports in your home.
Can all ants sting or bite?
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Not all ants can sting, but all ants can bite with their mandibles. Only female ants in certain species (about 71 genera) possess a stinger, which is actually a modified egg-laying organ. Famous stinging species include fire ants and bullet ants. Many species that can't sting compensate by spraying formic acid or using their powerful mandibles for defense. Some species, like carpenter ants, combine biting with spraying formic acid into the wound to increase the effectiveness of their defense.
What’s the difference between regular spray treatments and non-repellent treatments?
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Traditional sprays only kill the ants they touch, often causing the colony to relocate. We use non-repellent insecticides, which ants carry back to the nest, wiping out the entire colony at the source.
How much does ant control cost?
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Our ant treatment plans start around $39/month, plus a one-time setup fee. The exact price depends on the severity of the infestation and the size of your home.
Can I get rid of ants myself?
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DIY ant treatments often provide temporary relief, but they don’t eliminate the colony. Over-the-counter sprays can actually make the problem worse by scattering ants, causing them to split into multiple nests (a process called budding).
What if I see ants after treatment?
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It’s normal to see some activity in the first 7-10 days after treatment as the ants carry the insecticide back to the colony. If the problem persists, we’ll come back at no extra cost to ensure the issue is resolved.
Find Local Ant Control Services
We provide professional ants control throughout Virginia, Maryland, and the DC Metro area.