Ants are the most common pest problem in America, with more than 80% of homeowners experiencing ant problems. There are more than 12,000 species of ants in the world, but only a few types typically pose the greatest problems for homes in the U.S.

Ants are easy to identify because they have three distinct body regions: a heart-shaped head with large jaws and elbowed antennae, a smooth round midsection, and a ridged tail end. Some ants grow wings in order to swarm and spread their colonies. Winged ants and termites can look similar, but the main difference is that a termite has two body segments and does not have a constricted waist. Termites also have smooth antennae instead of elbowed, with four wings of equal size that extend far beyond the end of their bodies. Winged ants have four wings, but two are much smaller than the others.

Ants can be a problem in or outside a home, where they can contaminate food, bite and damage property. They can be difficult to control and treat once they are established. Many species are hard to identify to the untrained eye. Here are some that are common inside the home, including carpenter ants, odorous house ants and Pharaoh ants.

TREATING ANTS INSIDE YOUR HOME

1. Like all pests, ants are looking for food and water. Complete a thorough inspection in and around your home for leaking water and food sources, and eliminate them.
2. Keep your kitchen especially clean and quickly take care of any water leaks.
3. All ant species have different characteristics so the type of ant will determine how they should be treated in your home. If eliminating food and water sources do not stop ants from returning, consult with a local box retailer for pest treatment products and follow the instructions carefully.
4. If the problem persists after eliminating food and water sources, as well as using DIY treatment products, contact a local pest professional to identify the ants and plan an appropriate treatment.
5. If you are building a new home, consider Taexx, a built-in-the-wall pest control system that keeps common household pests out of our home including ants. Many of the nation’s top builders are installing it as a standard feature. If your builder isn’t already installing Taexx, you can ask for it.

TREATING ANTS OUTSIDE YOUR HOME

1. Identify which kind of ant you are dealing with to determine the best type of treatment. Consult with a local box retailer for pest treatment products and follow the instructions carefully.
2. Use patience and treat as many mounds as possible at the same time. If you treat just one mound, they will move to satellite mounds.
3. Trim back bushes, shrubs and trees that brush against your siding or roof to eliminate possible bridges for ants to reach your home. Avoid stacking firewood next to the house and maintain a healthy lawn to discourage ants from returning.
4. If you have crazy ants, treatment can be difficult. You should consult with a local pest control expert to talk about treatment options.

WHAT CAN I DO, AS A HOMEOWNER, TO HELP ELIMINATE OR CONTROL AN ANT INFESTATION?

To achieve long term control and prevention of ants, some steps include:

1. Eliminating the food source.
2. Trimming bushes and hedges that are near or touching your house in the affected area.
3. Caulking or closing potential entry points.
4. Chemically treating with the appropriate insecticides either on your own or using a pest control professional.

WHAT ARE CONSIDERED THE TOP PESTS IN THE U.S.?

Ants