With more than a quadrillion (15 zeros!) ants on the planet, some of them are bound to find their way into your home, unfortunately. While it’s hard not to admire these little critters’ industriousness, we can definitely applaud their work ethic from afar, rather than witnessing it in our homes.
Swipe through to learn about 7 ant species you might see in your home.
True to their name, carpenter ants burrow into wooden structures and can cause serious damage to your home. Holes in wood or piles of wood shavings or sawdust are often signs that black ants might be present. This type of ant can be black, dark brown, red and black, yellow or red.
Black ants are famously attracted to picnics, but they might follow the delectables indoors. Keep your kitchen spotless to discourage the foragers from seeking midnight snacks on your counters and in your pantry.
Ghost ants are so tiny that you can barely see them. They have dark heads and pale legs and abdomen. They're found in warmer areas like Florida and Hawaii and because they like moisture, they’re often found near toilets or sinks.
Photography: Family Handyman/Pinterest
Found throughout the United States, acrobat ants come inside homes in search of proteins and sweets. They can be light red, brown, or black. They often infest damp or rotting wood often around windows and drain spouts. While they can sting, they’re typically not considered harmful to pets or people.
Photography: www.AntWeb.org
Odorous ants smell like old blue cheese or rotten coconuts when they get stepped on, so you definitely don’t want these dark brown or black ants in your home. They come inside seeking sugary foods and dead insects.
Photography: Wikimedia via Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic
Fire ants are little red bringers of misery. Their bites are painful and very itchy. In the South, you often find them outdoors in their telltale mounds, but these aggressive attackers will make their way indoors if they sense the availability of sweet or fatty foods.
Imported from South America, Argentine ants have made themselves at home here in the United States. Because they like warm weather, they are prevalent in the Southeast, California and Hawaii. They are attracted to food and moisture, so keep your home tidy and well-sealed to discourage them.
Photography: www.Antweb.org/April Nobile