There are currently 143 known ant species that call Ohio home. Unfortunately, many of them have no problem invading your house to find food or to build their nests. Knowing which type you are dealing with allows you to figure out which ant control treatment is best. Here are some common nuisances you might find lurking in or around your home. 

What Are Some Common Ants Found in Ohio?

1. Carpenter Ant

The black carpenter ant is the largest and one of the most common ant species found throughout the state. The social insects don’t build mounds on the ground, but instead, they use their jaws to chew nesting tunnels inside wood.

This means they usually end up chewing their way through a home’s foundation, especially in areas that have experienced water damage. If ant control is not applied to an infestation early on, it can end up causing structural damage. 

2. Cornfield Ant

Outside the home, the small yellowish to dark brown cornfield ants can be found in lawns, under stones and bricks, and in rotting logs and stumps. They are also frequently found living in cornfields, where they can snack on aphids.

While they also eat flower nectar and live and dead insects, it’s common for them to invade homes looking for sweets. However, it’s rare for them to nest here, as they prefer to build mounds on exposed ground. 

3. Larger Yellow Ant

A common, but less annoying ant is the larger yellow species. As winged adults, the pale yellow to darkish brown or black insects are frequently mistaken for termites because they tend to cluster around cracks in basement walls or floors.

However, they don’t tend to cause structural damage — besides leaving dirt piles at their nest entrance — don’t forage for food, and tend to move outdoors during the warmer seasons. The rest of the time, you can find their nests near building foundations and under basement floors or in rotting wood, and they prefer to feed on the honeydew of subterranean aphids and mealybugs. 

If you need ant control, turn to BUG-A-PEST, LLC. Since 1992, this locally owned and operated business has been Maineville OH’s leading residential and commercial pest control service, their exterminators are fully insured and certified. Call them today at (513) 459-7700 to schedule an appointment, and visit their website to learn more about their ant control and other pest services.