The 5 Most Common Ant Species in Sioux Falls
Ants are a common nuisance for homeowners in Sioux Falls, especially during the warmer months. These tiny invaders enter homes in search of food, water, and shelter, often forming large colonies that can be difficult to control. Proper identification of the species infesting your home is crucial for effective treatment and prevention. In this guide, we'll explore the most common ant species found in Sioux Falls, their identifying characteristics, and the problems they pose.
Pavement Ants (Tetramorium caespitum)
Pavement ants are one of the most frequently encountered ants in urban areas. They often nest in cracks in pavement and invade homes in search of food.
- Identification: Pavement ants are medium-sized ants, measuring between 1/8 to 3/16 inches in length. Their bodies are dark brown or black with a shiny appearance, and they have a rough, sculptured texture on their thorax and head. Their most distinct feature is the petiole (the narrow waist) that has two spines. These ants often have visible grooves and ridges across their thorax and head.
- Habitat: As their name suggests, pavement ants are commonly found under pavement stones, sidewalks, and in cracks of driveways. They can also nest under rocks or within structural elements of homes. During summer, they will frequently venture indoors to forage for food.
- Behavior: Pavement ants are omnivorous, feeding on a variety of food sources like sweets, grease, and proteins. They are known to invade kitchens and pantries in search of food. While they aren't typically aggressive, they can swarm and form large colonies with multiple queens, especially when their nesting area is disturbed.
- Signs of Infestation: Look for piles of fine sand or dirt near cracks in pavement or walls. These ants often leave behind small mounds near their nests, which can be a clear sign of their presence.
- Threat: Pavement ants can contaminate food and become a persistent indoor nuisance. They are known to invade kitchens and pantries in large numbers.
Odorous House Ants (Tapinoma sessile)
Odorous house ants get their name from the distinct rotten coconut-like odor they emit when crushed. These ants are highly adaptable and difficult to control.
- Identification: Odorous house ants are small, measuring around 1/8 inch long. They are dark brown to black with a smooth, shiny appearance and have a distinctive, unpleasant odor when crushed—often described as a rotten coconut smell. These ants have a single node on their thorax and a somewhat irregular shape due to the presence of a smooth, rounded thorax.
- Habitat: Odorous house ants are found both outdoors and indoors. Outdoors, they nest under rocks, logs, and in mulch, while indoors, they commonly make nests in wall voids, insulation, and around baseboards. They are frequently found in kitchens, particularly in areas where food is stored.
- Behavior: These ants are attracted to sweets, particularly sugary liquids and crumbs. They are also known for nesting in large colonies that can spread across multiple sites. Odorous house ants tend to follow well-established trails, making it easy for them to forage in homes.
- Signs of Infestation: Small trails of ants leading to and from food sources or nesting sites are the clearest indicator. You may also notice the distinct odor when the ants are disturbed or crushed.
- Threat: These ants can be difficult to eliminate due to their ability to move their colonies quickly. They contaminate food and are challenging to control with over-the-counter treatments.
Pharaoh Ants (Monomorium pharaonis)
Pharaoh ants are tiny but troublesome pests that thrive in warm environments. They are notorious for infesting hospitals and homes, where they can spread bacteria.
- Identification: Pharaoh ants are very small, around 1/16 inch in length, and they range in color from light yellow to reddish-brown. They have a smooth and shiny appearance with darker abdominal segments. The thorax is unevenly shaped, which helps to differentiate them from other small ants.
- Habitat: These ants are typically found indoors, especially in warmer areas like kitchens, bathrooms, and inside walls. They prefer to nest in areas with moisture and warmth, such as around pipes, insulation, and even behind electrical appliances.
- Behavior: Pharaoh ants are particularly troublesome because they can create multiple satellite colonies from a single nest. These ants are opportunistic feeders, attracted to greasy foods, proteins, and sugary substances. They often invade homes in search of food and water, especially during the warmer months.
- Signs of Infestation: Pharaoh ants often leave trails of ants across walls, countertops, or other food sources. Because of their small size and ability to nest in hidden areas, infestations may go unnoticed until large numbers of ants begin to appear.
- Threat: These ants pose a significant health risk, especially in hospitals, as they can transmit pathogens by contaminating food and surfaces.
Carpenter Ants (Camponotus spp.)
Carpenter ants are among the largest ant species in Sioux Falls. Unlike termites, they do not eat wood but can still cause structural damage by hollowing it out for nesting.
- Identification: Carpenter ants are among the largest ants in North America, measuring between 1/4 and 1/2 inch long, with some species reaching up to 1 inch. They are black, reddish, or a combination of both, with a smooth body and a rounded thorax. Carpenter ants have a large, heart-shaped head and their thorax is evenly rounded when viewed from the side, which distinguishes them from other types of ants.
- Habitat: These ants are primarily outdoor insects but can infest homes, particularly when moisture is present in wooden structures. Carpenter ants typically nest in hollowed-out wood, such as decaying logs, tree stumps, and inside walls or beams of homes. They do not consume the wood they infest but excavate it to create tunnels and galleries.
- Behavior: Carpenter ants are attracted to moist, decaying wood and are notorious for causing damage to wooden structures. They are omnivorous, feeding on proteins, sweets, and other food sources. Unlike termites, which eat wood, carpenter ants only burrow into it to create nests. These ants can also leave behind sawdust-like frass as evidence of their activity.
- Signs of Infestation: Look for piles of sawdust or small black pellets near wood surfaces, as well as ants inside the home, particularly in moist areas. If you hear rustling sounds in your walls or wood, it may be an indication of an active carpenter ant nest.
- Threat: Infestations can lead to costly home repairs if left untreated, as they weaken wooden structures by creating tunnels.
Learn more about the structural damage carpenter ants cause and what to do if you have carpenter ants.
Thief Ants (Solenopsis molesta)
Thief ants are among the smallest household ants, often nesting near other ant colonies to steal food and larvae. Their tiny size makes them hard to detect and control.
- Identification: Thief ants are very small, about 1/16 inch in length, with a pale yellow to light brown coloration. They have a shiny, smooth appearance with a narrow waist, and their heads are slightly larger than their bodies. They can be difficult to spot due to their small size, but their color and shape help distinguish them from other ants.
- Habitat: Thief ants are often found in areas where other ants have already established nests, hence their name. They will invade other ant colonies, stealing food and larvae. Outdoors, they nest under rocks, leaves, or in decaying wood. Inside, they can be found in walls, cracks in floors, and even inside food packages in kitchens.
- Behavior: Thief ants are opportunistic scavengers, feeding on other ants’ food and larvae. Their nests are often close to or within the nests of other ants, which they raid to collect food. Because they are attracted to sugary substances, they are commonly found near kitchen spills, crumbs, and pet food.
- Signs of Infestation: Thief ants are often discovered when other ants in the area are noticed, as these ants tend to hide within the nests of other colonies. Look for small, pale ants around food sources or inside hidden spaces in the home.
- Threat: Known for contaminating food, especially greasy and protein-rich items, thief ants are hard to control due to their small size and hidden nesting habits.
Final Thoughts
By understanding the unique traits, behaviors, and habitats of these different ant species, homeowners in Sioux Falls can more easily identify and address any ant infestations. Whether you’re dealing with pavement ants invading a driveway or carpenter ants nesting in the walls, prompt action is key to preventing further issues. Regular inspections and keeping a clean, sealed home will help limit the attractiveness of your space to these common household pests.
And while DIY methods may work for getting rid of a couple of ants, professional pest control is often necessary to fully eliminate an infestation. Olson's Pest Technicians has been providing expert pest control services since 1966. Our team understands the specific challenges local homeowners face and offers personalized solutions to eliminate ants and prevent future invasions. Contact us today for a thorough inspection and a customized treatment plan to keep your home ant-free year-round.