Carpenter Ants: These wood destroying insects inhabit your home and quickly cause a lot of damage. Carpenter ants are among the largest ants as they are up to 14 mm long. Carpenter ants live both indoors and outdoors in moist, decaying or hollowed-out wood. They cut pathways into the wood structures to create their nests and make routes for movement within each section of the nest, or “satellites”. This activity produces sawdust mixed with dead ants which gives clues to a carpenter ant infestation. A common myth is that carpenter ants eat wood, but this is not true. They actually feed off of food people eat and other insects.

Acrobatic Ants: Acrobat ants get their name from their habit of acrobatically raising their abdomen above their head, especially when they are disturbed. Outdoors, acrobat ants nest near moisture such as under stones, in stumps, in rotting logs and under woodpiles. When they invade homes, acrobat ants often nest in damp areas. Acrobat ants often nest in wood that termites or carpenter ants have damaged. Acrobat ants normally eat insects and their waste. If acrobat ants invade a home, they usually prefer sweets and meat. The most visible sign of acrobat ants are the trails of ants as they look for resources. Another sign is the debris they leave as they excavate their nests. This often consists of foamy substance and dead ants near the nest. Preventing acrobat ants begins with a thorough inspection. Occasionally there is evidence to show where they made their nest. Ants that are moving in a trail can lead to their nest and their food supply. It is very often necessary to fix a moisture problem before it is possible to eliminate acrobat ants. Because the nest can be difficult to locate, it is preferable to let a pest control professional treat an acrobat ant infestation.