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The Different Types Of Ants In Maine

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Common Types Of Ants In Maine

Not sure what type of ant just crawled across your kitchen floor or what species is currently making a nest beside your driveway? From nuisance to wood-destroying, Maine has plenty of ants. In this article, our local pest control company is going to identify three of the Pine Tree state’s most commonly found ants and, of course, offer some suggestions on how to eliminate them.

carpenter ant infesting a maine home

Carpenter ants 

These large ants love to infest wood that has been damaged by water, is rotting, or has a high moisture content. Though they vary in coloring – sometimes black, sometimes red, sometimes a combination of colors, they have strong mandibles that allow them to tunnel inside the wood in order to create galleries where they establish nests.

Typically, carpenter ants establish nests outside in trees and among other organic materials, but they will also establish satellite nests indoors. Carpenter ant activity inside a home can become a serious problem if not addressed. 

odorous house ants inside a maine kitchen

Odorous house ants

Whereas carpenter ants are a large species of ant, odorous house ants fall on the other end of the spectrum, measuring approximately 1/16 to 1/8 of an inch in length. They are black to dark brown in coloring, are notorious for infesting and contaminating food, and have a penchant for eating sweets, meats, and grease.

Outdoors, odorous house ants nest in moist soil, under rocks, in firewood, and in other areas that are prone to moisture build-up. Inside, nests of odorous house ants are often found in wall voids and in close proximity to pipes, leaking appliances, and other places with moisture issues.

pavement ants infesting a driveway outside a maine home

Pavement ants

Another type of small ant in Maine, pavement ants are about 1/8 of an inch in length and are dark brown to black in color. They often nest in cracks of driveways, along sidewalks, and under concrete slabs and foundations.

Property owners in Maine may also discover a pavement ant problem inside their home and that’s because these ants sometimes make their way indoors to find food and nest under floors and in insulation. 

Why is ant identification important?

While identifying the ant species might seem irrelevant (you just want them gone right?!), it is a necessary step if you want them eliminated from your home and/or yard. Knowing which ant is infesting tells pest control pros where their nests are likely to be, and what treatment method will be the most effective against the infestation. 

Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all ant control and if we’re going to eliminate carpenter ants, we can’t employ a strategy that is effective in exterminating pavement ants or odorous house ants.

What’s the difference between nuisance ants and wood-destroying ants?

Odorous house ants and pavement ants are considered nuisance ants. Although they infest homes and businesses, they are not typically a serious threat to human health and will not damage property. 

Carpenter ants, on the other hand, are wood-destroying insects that are capable of causing extensive damage to all types of structures, including single-family homes, mobile homes, outbuildings, and commercial buildings. 

Visible carpenter ant damage will not occur overnight; it could take years before you realize you have a problem. Make no mistake though, if you do not treat carpenter ants, you will eventually find and have to deal with damage caused by these pests. 

Effective ant control from the local pest control pros

Providing home pest control services in Auburn, Portland, and communities throughout our multi-county service area, the Pine State Pest Solutions team is here to help property owners identify and eliminate ant problems! Compare plans below or give us a shout if you have questions. 

*initial start-up fees may apply.

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