The Most Common Ants in DFW

As a common nuisance pest throughout Texas, ants have become a big problem for homeowners and business owners in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. They can also infiltrate a structure incredibly quickly while also being difficult to control because of their nesting habits. And, while many ant species share common characteristics, ant control requires a customized approach depending on the type of ant found and the location they have chosen to call home. With these factors in mind, the last thing you want in your home or business is an ant infestation. But, if one does occur, the team at Pied Piper Services is here to help you get back to normal. 

Each home or business will often have its own unique factors or characteristics that are contributing to an ongoing ant infestation. While many pest control providers in the DFW area may provide generic ant control treatments, the experts at Pied Piper Services are committed to providing flexible and customized ant treatment plans to remove existing colonies and ensure they do not come back. Why let your home or business be the next target of these tiny pests when you don’t have to? Let Pied Piper Services help with effective ant control in Dallas/Fort Worth! 

Common Ants in Dallas and the Surrounding Area

Although there are many different ant species found in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, they often won’t share the same food sources or nesting habits. Many of the ants listed below are not threatening to humans; however, certain species may cause damage to your business or home or deliver painful stings or bites. If you see any of these ant species outside or inside your structure, the team at Pied Piper Service is here to help remove them safely and affordably. 

Odorous House Ants 

As a common nuisance pest across the state of Texas, odorous house ants are commonly seen foraging for sweets in both residential and commercial kitchens. When crushed, odorous house ants will give off a sweet, licorice-like smell. This unique characteristic is caused by their love for consuming honeydew and other sources of sugar they may be able to find. While not dangerous to humans, odorous house ants are capable of contaminating food; making control and removal warranted whenever found indoors. 

Outdoors, odorous house ants will nest between bricks, under mulch and stones or inside wall voids that provide both moisture and protection. However, once they begin nesting indoors, odorous house ants choose to build their nests near viable water sources. This makes them a common pest around leaky water pipes and fixtures. Since this species of ant can build nests inside of walls, professional ant control may be required to remove the colony entirely. 

Acrobat Ants 

Only distinguishable from carpenter ants with close inspection, acrobat ants are commonly found near sources of wood. When irritated, this species of ant will raise their body into the air to take on a defensive posture. Acrobat ants do possess a stinger; however, they will rarely use it and the pain it causes rarely lasts for an extended period. Unlike other species of ant that prefer their food sources to be close to the nest, acrobat ants may forage up to 100 feet away from the colony. 

In many cases, acrobat ants will nest outdoors in trees but can move indoors when conditions are favorable to them. Once inside of a home or business, acrobat ants will generally nest inside of insulation or other areas that have high moisture content or access to water. This also makes them a common ant in both residential and commercial kitchens. When found indoors, working with an experienced pest control provider can ensure the colony is removed properly. 

Crazy Ants 

Named after their fast and erratic behaviors, crazy ants are a common problem in businesses in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. While originating from Southeast Asia, this invasive species and environmental pest is notorious for traveling extensive distances in search of food. However, the biggest concern with crazy ants is their tendency to live in large colonies that present an impressive number of individual ants. This population boost often allows crazy ants to outcompete and displace many species of native ants. 

When outdoors, crazy ants prefer to nest in damp soil that is often found underneath rocks, in compost, in potted plants or near stumps. Once indoors, crazy ants will search for food seemingly disjointed and can adapt to dray conditions. Crazy ants are omnivorous and opportunistic feeders and will eat a variety of food sources from other insects and animal matter to honey or other sweet parts of a plant. Crazy ants are scavengers, predators and foragers making them much different than many other ant species.

Carpenter Ants 

Like termites, carpenter ants are a common destructive pest found in the DFW area; however, unlike termites that consume wood for nourishment, carpenter ants do not eat the wood that they excavate. Instead, carpenter ants create smooth tunnels within wood sources to use as nests. Once a carpenter ant colony reaches maturity, it can contain as many as 50,000 individual ants with 20,000 of them working continually to expand the nest. As you might imagine, this can cause damage relatively quickly if left unchecked. 

Carpenter ant nests are commonly found in trees and hollow tree trunks outdoors. When they begin nesting inside of a home or business, they will begin to excavate wood in walls or ceilings to create nests. In some cases, carpenter ants can be treated with similar methods that are used for termites. Early detection of this ant species can help limit the amount of damage they can cause and improve the chances of quick removal. Working with an ant control provider in the Dallas/Fort Worth area is critical since carpenter ants can deliver painful bites. 

Fire Ants 

Considered one of the worst invasive species in the world, fire ants have become a common pest in the Dallas area and Texas as a whole. Known for their aggressive behavior when a nest is disturbed and the painful stings they are capable of delivering, fire ants should always be removed by a professional. Once a fire ant nest is disturbed, fire ants will begin to swarm and can cause painful welts. As an experienced provider of ant control in Dallas/Fort Worth, Pied Piper can safely remove fire ants from your home or business. 

Fire ant nests are often identified by their large mound-like appearance outdoors in the soil near a building’s foundation. Other potential nesting locations outdoors include yards and the surrounding landscaping. While typically found outdoors, fire ants can also find their way indoors through HVAC systems or other cracks and crevices. If you find fire ants inside your home or business, contact a pest control professional immediately and do not try to remove them on your own. 

Pharaoh Ants 

As one of the only ant species that nests primarily indoors, pharaoh ants are a common problem in the DFW area. If your home or business is experiencing an infestation of ants, pharaoh ants are almost always the first likely culprit; however, the most common target this species has for nesting locations is hospitals. Once inside, controlling pharaoh ants is incredibly difficult and will often require repeat services by a pest control company. 

Pharaoh ants prefer to nest in warm and hidden areas indoors. By creating a trail with pheromones, pharaoh ant will often forage far away from their nesting location, making the detection of a nest even harder. While pharaoh ants may be found in shaded areas outdoors, they will not stay there long because they are unable to survive in the given climate. Indoors, nests may be found under carpets, in wall outlets or under appliances where they have extended protection from being disturbed. 

Rover Ants 

At only 1/12 of an inch long, rover ants are one of the tiniest ants found in the DFW area. This small size also allows them to easily make their way inside of homes or businesses. When close to a structure, rover ants will begin searching every inch of a foundation for entry points that they can use to gain access inside. And, although they aren’t capable of biting or stinging like other ant species, rover ants can be a nuisance for homeowners and business owners because of the sheer number of ants that may be present in a colony. 

Outdoors, rover ants will often nest in potted plants, leaf litter, organic waste and under bricks or stones. Other common areas that rover ants will create nests that lead to access indoors include garden beds that have mulch in them. During the summer season, rover ants will begin entering homes and businesses in search of food or shelter from the heat. Because rover ants may create nests inside of wall voids, professional ant control may be required to remove them completely. 

Ant Prevention in Dallas/Fort Worth

While no two species of ant are the same, there are some common steps that homeowners and business owners can take to limit the extent of populations found on their property or within their structure. If you are ready to take a stand against ants in DFW, here are some tips to help you get started: 

1. Limit Access
   Ants are notorious for finding the smallest openings possible to infiltrate a home or business. It is important to seal those potential entry points as soon as they are found to ensure they can’t be utilized by ants or other pests. Look for cracks as the seasons change to ensure you are closing them before they are found by persistent pests. 
2. Eliminate Food Sources
   From safely storing your food to removing waste and creating a sanitary environment, there are many ways to limit the food chain that ants have access to. Ants can feed the colony with the smallest leftover piece of food from the ground or an uncleaned spill on the counter. Even worse, this small amount of food can lead them to create signals that draw in more ants. 
3. Disrupt Their Habitats
   Many species of ant will move when their nest is disrupted, or they feel unsafe. While this may not work if they are already indoors, it can encourage them to move to another location away from your home if their nest is outdoors. Look for potential nests around your home or business and remove them early for the best results. 
4. Remove Water Access
   When ants have access to a water supply, they will often thrive and expand their numbers. This causes severe problems for homes or businesses that have leaky pipes or moisture-heavy areas. Since ants need water to survive, it is important to remove water access they may have wherever it may be found. As a bonus, this can also limit other pests like cockroaches or silverfish that may be competing for the same water sources. 

When ants have access to a water supply, they will often thrive and expand their numbers. This causes severe problems for homes or businesses that have leaky pipes or moisture-heavy areas. Since ants need water to survive, it is important to remove water access they may have wherever it may be found. As a bonus, this can also limit other pests like cockroaches or silverfish that may be competing for the same water sources. 

Why Pied Piper for Ant Control in Dallas/Fort Worth? 

Although ants are a persistent threat to homes and businesses in DFW, the team at Pied Piper Services strives to give affected families and individuals assistance through proven ant control services. Whether you are finding dangerous ant species like fire ants or nuisance species like odorous house ants, we have the knowledge and experience needed to help remove them. 

Dealing with any pest problem alone can be incredibly stressful, so finding effective and convenient pest control services shouldn’t be a challenge. At The Pied Piper, we offer 3 convenient ways to get started to ensure an effortless process that works best for you. Whether you use our online pricing tool, request service online or give us a call, we are ready to help return your home or business to normal.