Ants

Tiny, mighty, and Difficult to Eradicate

Ants are the most common pest issue Americans encounter. These tiny pests typically live outside but they won’t be shy about migrating indoors in search of food. While some breeds of ants can be destructive, for the most part, these insects are just a major nuisance, disrupting your peace and comfort. Because ants are so small and their colonies so vast, they can be difficult to eliminate without professional treatment from a team like Dodson Pest Control.

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Ants-at-a-Glance

Range in size but are typically about an eighth to a quarter of an inch long

Usually black or brown

Hundreds of species can be found in the States

Best known for being frequent home invaders

I'm so glad that Dodson Pest has taken care of our ants! I can see a 100% difference.

Nicole

I will recommend this service to anyone who needs it and when the ants come back.

Phyllis

We wanted to let you know how much we appreciate your employee, Adam Lyons, who came this afternoon to treat our kitchen for sugar ants and did his scheduled service at the same time. 

Sue Leon

Scott Friedkin helped us through a multi-year fight with black ants! He had great attention to detail.

Steve

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Ant FAQs

What do ants eat?

Ants are omnivores and eat a variety of foods including insects, honeydew from aphids, seeds, fungi, and even foods found in human homes like sweets, bread, and grease.

Do ants live alone or in colonies?

Ants are social insects that live in colonies with distinct roles, such as queens, reproductive males, workers, and soldiers. Some colonies can have millions of ants.

How long do ants live?

The lifespan of an ant depends on its role. Queen ants can live several decades, while worker ants typically only live a few weeks to a few months.

What are the different types of ants?

Over 12,000 identified ant species are divided into 17 subfamilies. Some common types are carpenter ants, fire ants, army ants, leafcutter ants, and crazy ants.

How do ants communicate?

Ants communicate through pheromones, sounds, touch, visual signals, and food exchange. They use pheromone trails to guide others to food sources.

How strong are ants?

Ants have an incredibly strong grip and can lift 20 times their own body weight. They are known to be one of the strongest creatures on Earth for their size.

What attracts ants inside homes?

Ants are attracted to food sources like crumbs, spills, grease, and sweet substances. Moisture can also attract them indoors.

How do you get rid of ants?

Eliminating food sources, sealing entry points, using baits or sprays, and sometimes calling an exterminator are ways to get rid of indoor ant infestations.

Do ants bite or sting?

Most ants do not bite or sting humans. However, fire ants and some others can inflict painful stings or bites if their nest is disturbed.

How long have ants existed?

The earliest known ants evolved over 100 million years ago in the mid-Cretaceous period, around the same time as the rise of flowering plants.