Texas is home to a wide variety of animals, but not all of these are welcome indoors. Ants are among the most common household insects in the state. Left alone, they can quickly become a persistent problem. If you notice these pests making their home in yours, get in touch with an ant control specialist right away.

What Are Some Common Ants in Texas?

1. Carpenter Ants

Carpenter ants are among the largest species encountered in Texas, growing in length up to more than half an inch. While they can, and do, bite, they don’t sting. These black ants get their name from their habit of boring holes and tunnels into wood for nesting purposes, preferring moist or damp conditions. 

If left undiscovered or unaddressed, these nests can become so extensive that wooden support beams can be critically weakened. Combining professional extermination with ant control methods that target water and food sources will help keep these pests at bay.

2. Pharaoh Ants

Also known as “sugar ants,” these pests are some of the smallest ants known to infest homes, reaching just 1/12 to 1/16 of an inch in length. These tan to reddish-brown ants are among the most common ants found indoors in Texas. They pose a major risk of triggering asthma attacks, bronchitis, respiratory infections, and infections such as Staphylococcus and Salmonella. 

These ants typically don’t sting or bite. Pharaoh ants are omnivorous, feeding on sugary foods, grease, and fat. Their nests are almost always found indoors inside sheltered areas such as light sockets, attics, cracks and crevices, and potted plants near steady sources of warmth and water.

3. Acrobat Ants

While acrobat ants are usually found nesting in stumps or under stones, they occasionally establish colonies in homes, as well. They’re light brown to black in color and grow to only about 1/16 of an inch long. Their most distinctive feature is their heart-shaped abdomen, which they can lift over their bodies, thus giving them their name.

Usually, acrobat ants only move into bored-out tunnels left by carpenter ants or termites, so if you see them indoors, it’s a sign that you may have another infestation on your hands. Once inside, they’ll make their way into food storage areas, releasing an unpleasant smell when disturbed.

If you’ve noticed these or other pests in your home, turn to Moore Pest Control in Hughes Springs, TX. These ant control specialists have served residents throughout northeastern Texas for more than 30 years. They use EPA-registered products to ensure reliable and safe pest removal. Visit their website to learn more about how they can help or call them at (903) 639-2884 to request a free ant control estimate.