Ants are perhaps one of the most diverse pests in the world. Many of these vastly different kinds of ant species call the Salt Lake City area home, and they all have their unique ways of negatively affecting the human spaces they end up occupying. Read on to learn about the types of ants in Salt Lake City, both those that are more on the plain nuisance side and also the kinds that are damaging and dangerous to humans.
Ants That Are A Nuisance
Some species of ants are typically seen as just being more of a general nuisance. These include:
- Pavement ants: Only about 1/12 to 1/8 of an inch in length, these tiny ants typically range from light brown to black in color. They have two 12-segmented antennae and have vertical lines on their head. Known for residing in cracks in pavement, sidewalks, and porches, pavement ants will usually end up finding their way inside your Salt Lake City home in search of food. These are the ants you most commonly see in your kitchen, foraging for sweet crumbs and liquids. They will also happily eat any trash that is laying around your home, whether inside or outside of it.
- Field ants: Larger than pavement ants, field ants will grow to be anywhere between 1/8 and 1/2 of an inch in length. They will be either red, yellow, or black in color, and sometimes a mixture of all three colors. If your Salt Lake City home has an open, grassy lawn, this is an ideal environment for field ants to set up shop in.
- Odorous house ants: These are tiny black ants that you commonly find rummaging around your kitchen, just like pavement ants. These ants, however, will release a foul odor if scared or crushed.
Ants That Are Dangerous
Unfortunately, there are a few types of ants in the Salt Lake City area that are dangerous to human health and safety:
- Pharaoh ants: Though they are small, these little tan insects are capable of spreading harmful diseases to you and your family. As they crawl across your countertops, inside your pantries, across cooking ware, and anywhere else you store and prepare food, they transmit bacteria like salmonella and streptococcus. These ants are also incredibly difficult to get rid of, especially on your own, because they live and travel together in very large colonies.
- Fire ants: Also known as harvester ants, fire ants range from being bright red to dark red and even black in color. While they do prefer to live outside in your yard, fire ants are dangerous to humans because they are extremely aggressive. A sting from a fire ant (or multiple stings) can be incredibly painful and can cause allergic reactions in some people. If you have been stung by a fire ant and are experiencing excessive swelling or bleeding, seek medical attention.
Ants That Are Damaging
While some ants are a threat to human health and safety, there are other types of ants here in Salt Lake City that are dangerous to have around simply because they will destroy your property:
- Carpenter ants: Perhaps the most notorious damaging ant, carpenter ants are large ants that can grow to be an inch long. They travel in large hordes, chewing their way through wooden beams and boards. They work silently and can be difficult to identify. If carpenter ants are left unchecked, not only could they cost you thousands of dollars in damage, but they could also completely compromise the structural integrity of your home.
- Velvety tree ants: Unique for their soft, black, hairy underbelly, these ants are more likely to be found outside your home in trees. However, they do have a destructive streak. They will nest in wood that is moist, including on your porch and even your walls. They are also known to chew on window screens as well.
How To Control Ants
Because they almost always exist in massive colonies, ants are incredibly difficult to manage. The best thing you can do to control ants that have invaded your Salt Lake City home is to call the experts at Pest Pro Pest Control. We have a decade of experience dealing with all the many kinds of ants that invade Salt Lake City homes. With positive customer experience at the core of our operations, our technicians will work to provide you with treatment that safely and effectively removes any kind of ant species that has infested your Salt Lake City home. Don’t let harmful pests take over your home — call us today!