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What you should know about tiny ants in the house

You’ve probably spotted this at least once: tiny ants crawling around your house. It can be worrisome to realize your home has been invaded by ants of any kind, and when they’re small ones that you can’t seem to eliminate, it makes matters even worse. Small ants are a big nuisance and can create an unpleasant visitor experience. So, what should you do?

If tiny ants are popping up around your home, reach out to an ant control professional who can identify ant species and the appropriate treatment methods for controlling the type in question. Ehrlich is incredibly experienced in ant control. We can tell which type of ants are infesting your property and pinpoint the best way to eradicate them. Call us at 888 984 0186 or contact us online today.

Pharaoh's ant

How much do you know about small ants? Here, learn more about some that you may see around your house and how to handle the problem.

Types of tiny ants in the house

Multiple species of small ants can show up in your house. The following ones are types you are more likely to encounter:

  • Odorous house ants – Worker ants are around 1/16 to 1/8 inch in length with brown to black bodies. They give off a rotten odor when they are crushed.
  • Thief ants – Workers are around 1/16 inch in length, although queen ants are about 1/4 inch long. They are colored pale yellow to brown. When thief ants are indoors, they occupy nests in crevices. They look for food that has a high amount of protein, like meat and cheese.
  • Pharaoh ants – Workers of this species are also around 1/16 inch and typically have a pale body that is yellowish to reddish in color. Queen pharaoh ants are a little larger and their coloring is a bit darker. These ants seek out sweets or greasy items as food sources.

The small ants you see could also be pavement ants, which sometimes invade homes. Workers are around 1/16 to 1/8 inch long and queens are about 1/4 inch long. Pavement ants can occupy nests in insulation and walls.

Although you may not be able to tell for sure which type of ant is causing the issue, an expert from Ehrlich can help identify it correctly. Correct identification is key for proper treatment.

Curious about why ants are invading your home in the first place? Find answers in our article: - why are there ants in my house?

Tiny black ants

Now, if you notice small ants that look black, they may be odorous house ants. Inside, they may be found close to warm, moist places. Odorous house ants can use sweets and meat as sources of food. They can occupy nests both indoors, in places like cabinets, and outside, in places such as logs.

Black ants

Tiny ants in the kitchen or bathroom

When you’re trying to prepare food in the kitchen, it’s very annoying to see tiny ants crawling across your countertops, floor or table. You may even see them around your dog’s food dish. If you've been wondering what attracts ants into your home, it could be a variety of factors, including food residue and easy entry points like cracks in the foundation. Ants are more likely to enter your property at the ground level, and the kitchen is usually on the first floor, so that’s an easy place for them to invade. When they are in your kitchen, they may also move to other spots in the home. They may also show up in the bathroom – yet another irksome issue. The faster you address the issue, the less likely they will be to spread.

How to get rid of tiny ants

Ants need some sort of harborage and a food source, and your house could be providing exactly what they want. If your home has small holes in the foundation, window screens, weather stripping, etc., ants will take the opportunity to get in. They will look for any available entry point and invade. Seal up any cracks to help keep ants out. You should also try to keep your kitchen and other areas of the house clean, including keeping it free of crumbs and other food residue. This is a good rule of thumb for avoiding other kinds of pests too.

We know the presence of tiny ants in your home can be alarming and you should take action as soon as you think they have infested. If the situation has become severe, contact a pest control professional who knows about ant biology and treatment methods. Ehrlich understands how to eliminate small ants and will determine the optimal method to get rid of them. To get rid of ants, we may use baiting solutions inside the house or apply pest control products to the inside and outside. Our specialists are well-trained and ready to help battle the ant problems you face.

If you have seen tiny ants in your house, contact Ehrlich, your local ant control experts!

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