Color: Varies from black, brown and black, red and black, to light brown depending on the species.

Behavior – Carpenter ants feed on a wide variety of foods, especially other insects. The favored food of adults is the sweet honeydew produced by plant-feeding insects, such as aphids, scales, and mealybugs. In the spring, mature colonies produce winged reproductive ants, called swarmers, that fly out to start new colonies. These swarms often occur from satellite colonies within homes, so homeowners may see large flying ants in their homes at night. Carpenter ants can be very difficult to control, so most homeowners employ the services of a professional company such as Select Pest Control.

Habitat – Carpenter ants are the most common pest ant seen in homes throughout the northern United States.

Control – Successfull controle of carpenter ants often requires skill, knowledge and experience. A Select Pest Control Professional may use carpenter ant baits or may recommend a schedule for pest control service to prevent future infestations.

Tips:
Keep firewood and wood piles away from your home.
Make sure that plumbing or other water leaks are sealed, and check crawl space for excessive moisture.
Remove dead tree limbs and tree stumps to get rid of potential nesting sites.

Color: Brown.

If smashed, the workers give off a rotten odor, hence their name.

Behavior – Odorous house ants may develop large colonies containing thousands of workers and several queens. This species can be hard to control and is not controlled by ant baits. The way to control these are to find the colonies and treat them directly. Regular inspection and service are necessary to locate and treat new colonies as they move in. The services of a Select Pest Control professional, are very helpful when encountering these type of ants.

Habitat – These ants nest outdoors, within landscape mulch, under loose tree bark, in potted plants, and within piles of items, such as firewood, lumber, rock or brick. They may also be found nested in walls or beneath carpeting.

Control – Baits may be attempted, however it is very unlikly that this method will control the problem. A Select Pest Control professional can locate the colony and treet it directly.

Tips:
Eliminate firewood, lumber, rock, brick, and other items that could serve as a nesting site.
Keep landscape mulch less than 2 inches thick and at least 12 inches away from foundations.
If you have a sprinkler system, ensure that it does not spray directly on the foundation of your home.
Seal any exterior cracks in your home/foundation

Color: Brown.

The name is derived from it nesting in soil beneath concrete slabs, sidewalks, porch, and driveways.

Behavior – Colonies can be controlled using ant baits, however perimeter inspection and treatment are sometimes necessary.

Habitat – Under the foundation and within hollow block walls. Occasionally, a colony may move dirt up into a wall to form a nest. When piles of soil or dirt appear from under baseboards or on top of a basement or garage floor, it is an indication that pavement ants may be present.

Control – A Select Pest Control professional can succesfully treat for these types of ants.

Tips:
Seal cracks and voids in the exterior of your home to prevent ants from entering.
Keep vegetation cut away from the foundation of your home.
Avoid using items such as stones and landscape timbers next to your home's foundation.
Keep layers of mulch in landscape beds less than 2 inches thick and at least 12 inches away from the foundation.