California Ants: A Concise Guide

You may have noticed an increase in the number of ants in your California home recently. This is due to the fact that these insects have rapidly become a major issue all across California. While it might not frighten some, for others it could be downright terrifying. Then why are you concerned about a possible infestation? This article will discuss the various species of ants found in California and what can be done in the event of an infestation.

How destructive are ants to your home? ​

What type of damage may ants do to your property? is one of the most often asked inquiries we get. To put it briefly, a lot.

In the first place, ants can ruin your belongings. The reason for this is that they can gnaw through anything, including metal, glass, and wood. So, depending on the species, they can do a lot of damage to your fence, deck, or other wooden structures on your property. Ants can contaminate your food in other ways as well. This is because on their way to your home they will inevitably pass through garbage and other unsanitary areas.

​This is dangerous because it allows disease-causing germs and insects to spread to your meals. Last but not least, ants may be a nuisance no matter what. It may come as a surprise, but these pests have an acute sense of smell that allows them to locate any stray morsels of food. If you have an ant infestation, you can expect to share your space with other pests that rely on ants for sustenance, such as cockroaches, spiders, rats, and more. 

Common Household Infesting Ants

Ants of many different species thrive in California's pleasant climate and natural setting. This is so, and it's also why ants will want to invade your home in search of sustenance, hydration, and shelter. These ant species are the most likely to invade your home: 

Argentine Ants

The Argentine ant is a prevalent pest in the Golden State. These ants are just around 1/8 of an inch long. Their bodies, which are smooth, are a range of shades of brown. Argentine ants have a high worker density in their colonies. They construct their nests underground, concealed from view by rocks, logs, or other objects. They'll find cracks or crevices in walls, under furniture, or anywhere else out of sight to set up housekeeping. Crushing one of these insects releases a musty odor that can be used to detect their presence in your home. Since they enjoy sugary foods, meat, and other insects, Argentine ants will consume just about anything that falls to the ground. Get rid of grass and plants around your house, block up any openings, and store all sweet items in airtight containers if you want to get rid of Argentine ants. 

Carpenter Ants

Some of the worst ants in the state of California are carpenter ants. Black or dark brown in color, these beetles have a length of between 3/8 and 1/2 of an inch. When left unchecked, carpenter ants can cause extensive damage to your property because they hollow out wood to use as nesting material. If given the opportunity, carpenter ants will construct their nests inside of living trees. Otherwise, they will choose an outside dead tree or stump. They are free to make themselves at home wherever they like once they are inside your home.

If left unchecked, carpenter ants can cause as much structural damage to a building's interior as termites. Dish soap and fragrant oils can be used to eliminate fragrance trails, while boric acid can be used to kill the insects and seal up any entry points. 

Thief Ants

Thief ants or grease ants are relatively tiny insects. They measure at roughly 1/625 of an inch. Taking food from other ants' nests and bringing it back to their own is how they got their moniker. Thief ants are waistless and typically come in shades of light brown or yellow. When compared to the rest of their bodies, their bellies are a deeper color. A little stinger may be visible at the very end of their abdomens. The thief ant colonies can have as many as 300,000 members.

​Multiple queens can coexist in a single colony. Each queen can produce up to forty eggs every day. After two weeks, the eggs have hatch into larvae. There are several stages that the larvae must pass through before they can begin searching for food as adults. Because of their size and their constant search for food, this species is frequently misidentified as pharaoh ants. To eradicate a thief ant colony, it is necessary to inspect all areas where the ants have been spotted recently (including areas close to other ant nests) and to establish bait stations in order to locate the colony's origin. Once you locate the nest, you can take appropriate action. 

Still Struggling with Ants? ​

If you've exhausted all DIY options without success, you may wish to choose our ant control services. We are confident that our exterminators will be able to solve any problem you have because they have been operating in California for over 60 years.