Common Ants in New Jersey

When it comes to pest infestations, some of the most common offenders are ants. These little bugs are found on almost every land mass on earth aside from Antarctica, Greenland, Iceland, and certain island countries. The United States alone has around 700 varieties of ants scattered from region to region, and each species has its own habits and methods of treatment. At Eastern Pest Services, we’ve been exterminating all the common ants in North Jersey since 1985.  With our help, you can get rid of infestations in every scope and severity. If you want to get a jump on the kind of pest trouble you may be facing, here is a list of the most frequently seen ants in our area, and what you may have to do about them.

Do I Have Carpenter Ants?

What do carpenter ants look like? They range between 1/4 – 1/2 inch long, with thin antennae and a node between their thorax and abdomen. Carpenter ants may be all black or colored in a mixture of dark red and black. Some of the habits of carpenter ants include: 

• Building colonies of up to 15000 ants
• Tunneling through wood, resulting in structural damage
• Chewing through “soft” as well as solid wood

It’s important to know that carpenter ants do not eat wood in the same way that termites do. At the same time, however, they cause around the same degree of damage making tunnels for their nests and need to be treated as soon as you notice them.

Identifying Odorous House Ants

Odorous house ants have shiny black body that are no longer than 1/8 inch. What’s so distinct about them, though, is the distinct rotten odor if they feel disturbed. They’re incredibly persistent pests, with the average queen capable of living for months without food and still laying eggs through severe abdominal damage. That’s why it’s never suggested that you attempt any home ant control on your own, since odorous house ants can hide and repopulate if you don’t treat every colony. It’s much better to seek professional extermination. Then, after we’re done, you can prevent future Odorous House Ants by: 

• Trimming trees and shrubs
• Keeping food tightly secured 
• Wipe counters and surfaces clean
• Remove pet food and water after use

What do Pavement Ants Look Like?

Pavement ants are one of the most common species in the United States. They’re found commonly outdoors, along curbs or in the cracks of pavement, and are usually seen carrying soil, food, or eggs from one colony to the next. These ants might go unnoticed outside, but when they invade buildings looking for food they can be a considerable problem. Some distinguishing characteristics of the pavement ant include:

• A pair of spines on the back
• Grooves on the head and thorax
• Stinger in the abdominal segment
• Reproductive ants that are winged and twice as large

What Are Pharaoh Ants?

Pharaoh ants are small and brown, an invasive species that can be incredibly hard to control once they infest a property. They like sugary foods and nest in warm places, like cabinets, wall voids, and other dark places. They’re considered an especially dangerous pest due to their ability to spread disease and contaminate food and medical supplies. If you want to avoid a pharaoh ant infestation, you can: 

• Store food securely
• Seal cracks and other entry points
• Fix water leaks
• Keep the home clean

Are Little Black Ants Dangerous?

Little black ants are only a few millimeters long, with a round thorax and the absence of a spinal column. They don’t sting, bite, or carry disease – but you still don’t want them hanging around in your home. Little black ants are quick to infest, feeding off of surgery spills and oil spots on countertops. You might have a little black ant infestation if you find: 

• Ants in the home
• Trails leading from inside to outside
• Small piles of sand near food sources
• Dead or injured insects

Eastern Pest Services for Common Ant Infestations in North Jersey

You now likely know what kind of ant infestation is in your home or business. What happens next? There are at-home ant sprays you can use, but many of them don’t work as well as advertised. If you want comprehensive ant extermination, you need a pest control professional like the team at Eastern Pest Services. We’ve been working in the field of ant removal for over 35 years, and we’re well familiar with all the major species across the North Jersey area. For an experienced exterminator’s insight, Eastern Pest Services is here for you. Contact us today to get started!