Different ant species build in very different ways, from visible mounds in your lawn to hidden networks inside your walls. Here's a breakdown of the main ant nest types and the species most likely to build them.
Soil mounds are one of the most recognizable types of ant nests. They appear as raised piles of loose, disturbed earth. Size and shape vary by species, but they're most commonly found in lawns, along driveways, or near the base of structures.
Wood-nesting ants don't eat wood in the same way termites do. They excavate it to create smooth, hollow galleries for their colony. If you spot what appears to be a pile of sawdust near a wooden beam, window frame, or door, it's worth investigating. Due to the destructive nature of wood-nesting ants, we recommend professional ant control as soon as you spot signs of them.
Carpenter ants are the only common ant species to nest inside wood. They carve out smooth, clean galleries, often in soft, moisture-damaged timber. Look for frass: a mix of coarse sawdust, insulation fragments, and insect debris pushed out of the nest.
Call now to book your free inspection.
Some ant nests in the home are almost impossible to see. Some species nest deep inside wall voids, behind baseboards, under flooring, or near heat sources. The main clue is a steady trail of ants appearing from a crack or gap with no obvious source.
Pharaoh ants nest deep inside wall voids, behind baseboards, and near warm appliances or pipes. Colonies can be large and spread across multiple sites within a building.
Many ant species prefer to nest in sheltered spots just below the surface: under rocks, logs, mulch, or garden debris. These nests are often only discovered when the object is moved. They tend to look like a network of shallow tunnels and chambers in the soil, sometimes with a cluster of white larvae visible.
Some ant colonies extend well below the surface, often with minimal signs above ground. These nests can be surprisingly deep and wide, housing thousands and even millions of ants throughout networks of tunnels.
If you've found an ant nest in your house or yard, try not to disturb it, as this can cause the colony to scatter and relocate, making it harder to treat effectively. (This is especially true for species like pharaoh ants, which can split into multiple new colonies when threatened.)
The most reliable approach is to get a professional assessment. Book a free inspection with Ehrlich and we’ll help to identify the species, locate the full extent of the nest(s), and recommend the right treatment, whether that's targeted baiting, barrier treatments, or exclusion work to seal entry points.
Many common ant species, including carpenter ants and fire ants, are covered under our PestFree365+ plan, which provides year-round protection.¹
Underground ant colonies are made up of a network of tunnels and chambers used for food storage, egg-laying, and shelter. At the surface, you may see only a small entrance hole or a faint soil disturbance. The bulk of the colony is hidden below.
The most common signs are a steady trail of ants emerging from a crack or gap with no obvious food source nearby, or faint rustling sounds inside the wall. In the case of carpenter ants, you might notice small piles of frass near wooden structures. A professional inspection is the most reliable way to confirm it.
It depends on the species. A mature carpenter ant colony may hold a few thousand workers, while a fire ant mound can house hundreds of thousands. Argentine ant supercolonies are among the largest in the insect world, with interconnected nests containing millions or even hundreds of millions of workers.
¹ Treatments and Covered Pests defined in your Plan. Limitations apply. See Plan for details.
Call our local experts now {telNumber} ({openingHoursSummary}) or view more details about your nearest branch