Ants of all types are annoying to find in the home. We keep our homes clean so what is on the outside, stays on the outside. However, sometimes the ants do find their way in and we need to know how to keep them at bay. This will also depend on what type of ant it is. One type of ant common in homes is the sugar ant. Do sugar ants bite? Yes, they are able to bite but they are not painful and don’t cause any symptoms of a bite, unless someone is allergic to this type of ant.
Let’s take a look at sugar ants and their bite.
What is a Sugar Ant
Sugar ants got their name because they are attracted to sweet and sugary foods. This is likely the type you will find in your home. The original sugar ants are found in Australia. Additionally, there is a good chance that there will be a line of these ants going into the pantry as this is where the food source is in most homes. A nocturnal These ants are also known as odorous house ants because when they are squished, they give off a strong smell called formic acid.
Also, there are plants that let out nectar that in turn attracts ants. If it is close enough to the home, the ants then may discover more of this food around and in the home.
What Does a Sugar Ant Look Like
There are many types of sugar ants. One of those is the banded sugar ant is about 0.6 inches in length. It is a black ant with an orange and brown band that wraps around the body.
The household sugar ant has a dark brown or black body and about 0.3 inches in length.
Treating a Sugar Ant Bite
If you are bitten by a sugar ant, chances are you may not notice it. However, if you do have sugar ant bites, you can wash the area and put antibiotic ointment on it. Pain can also be reduced by icing the bite. If it is itchy, you can apply a topical treatment that you can buy over the counter at a local drugstore.
If you find yourself covered in bites or having an allergic reaction, seek medical assistance to find out what it is and treatment options. It is better to be safe and have it treated than let it go.
How to Get Rid of Sugar Ants
Destroy the food source that Is attracting the ants. Sometimes households will leave dishes sitting around or there will be leaky pipes or condensation that will attract the ants. Fixing these issues will help you get rid of them. Also making sure that counter tops are clean and inside the pantry and cupboards is important. Eliminating food and water sources is key to keeping the sugar ants at bay.
Other Species of Ants
Fire Ants
Fire ants are one-eight to one-quarter inch long. They are active, aggressive and eat plants and seeds. They do their damage to humans by stinging and injecting a toxic venom that comes from their stomach. Most often they build their nests outdoors but get into the home via the HVAC and AC units as they look for food and water.
Signs of Fire Ants – If you find a mound in the yard, this signals a large colony or infestation of sugar ants. Don’t disturb it and take precautions. If you have the materials to kill the colony, you can do it yourself or call on pest control. A pest control company can use mound treatments or broadcast treatments to get rid of the fire ants.
How to Treat Fire Ant Bites – clean the area with soap and water. apply ice to reduce the swelling, and use the topical cream on the bite. In addition, an antihistamine may reduce the itching.
Carpenter Ants
Carpenter ants are from 3 1/2 to 13 millimeters long. Unfortunately, they can cause a lot of damage in the home to the wood. Black in color, sometimes their body is reddish and their abdomen is black. They are most active at night and don’t make mounds like fire ants. Their homes are between beams, wood shingles, or wood boards. There may also be colonies in the cracks and crevices.
Signs of Carpenter Ants – piles of wood shavings, and rustling noises inside the walls.
One of the easiest ways to tell if carpenter ants are inside your home is to spot worker ants. That said, since colonies often become established within a wooden structure, these ants can be hard to spot. You may see the worker ants entering your home at night looking for food and water .
How to Treat Carpenter Ant Bites
When carpenter ants bite, they spray a formic acid into the wound. You will see a small red mark on your skin that is also inflamed. In this case, you will clean the skin and apply ice packets.
The Odorous House Ant
These ants are small, about 2 1/2 – 3 1/4 millimeters in length. They have a dark body and are brown or black. If they get on food, they can contaminate it.
This is the most common ant found inside homes and buildings. When this type of ant is squished, it gives off an earthy smell. Their nests are outdoors, but they come inside the home to get food and to hide from rainy weather. You might see them on your kitchen counter as they like the sugary foods often left there.
Signs of House Ants
You will likely see them at night as they are nocturnal. Outside, they build large dirt hills and this indicates a colony and they are more common in the warmer climates
How to Treat House Ant Bites
As mentioned above, most people are not allergic to house ants. Often, just applying an antibiotic cream to the site will work well. However, if the person is allergic, seek out medical attention.
Pavement Ants
Pavement ant is a common species that is seen mostly in urban areas near concrete. These ants are between 2 1/2 to a little over 3 millimeters in length. Dark brown to black in color, they have a thorax, head, and 12 segmented antennae. They nest in areas that have little vegetation and environments that are modified by humans.
Signs of Pavement Ants
Pavement ants travel on the sidewalk and on trails from the colony outside to a food source inside by the plumbing pipes. When they do get inside the home, they feed on greasy food, sweets, pet food, and dead insects. You will know if you have them in the home if you see the worker ants. Unfortunately, as they search for food, they will contaminate your food and leave bacteria.
How to Treat Pavement Ant Bites
If you are bitten by a pavement ant, it shouldn’t cause any irritation. However, if they do, cleaning the area and using a topical cream is the way to go.
Pharaoh Ant
Found in the southern states, it is only two millimeters in size and the body is light yellow. There are red and black markings on the stomach. Also, this ant has 12 segmented antennae. These ants are found in warmer climates and nest in the voids of walls as well as under appliances, in kitchens, bathrooms, carpets, and in wall outlets.
Signs of Pharaoh Ants
Worker ants looking for food is the best way to know if you have these ants.
How to Treat Pharaoh Ant Bites
If you are bitten, you probably won’t know it as the bite is that small.
How Much Does It Cost
The average national cost to get rid of ants in the home is about $150 but can be more or less depending on where you live and also the issue. This will also depend on how many times they need to come out to the home. Contacting a pest control company is a great idea so you can have them get rid of your ant problem. When they come out, they will look at your ant issue and tell you their plan for getting rid of the ant problem.
Here is a video about why ants bite.
Recommended Maintenance
Now that you know more about ants, take a look in the bathroom. If you notice ants in the bathroom, you will want to get rid of them. Finding their point of entry and why they are attracted to the bathroom is important.
Another area is getting rid of ants overnight. You can do this with natural home remedies such as vinegar, chalk, cinnamon, and lemon juice to name a few. Using natural remedies is a great idea as it is safer than harsh chemicals and just as effective.
Lastly, if you are not at all interested in lizards on your porch, you can get rid of them. Food, water, and shelter attract the lizards to the porch. Lizards also like fruits and vegetables that have been planted as well as dark places to keep cool. They don’t bite and are actually fun to watch !
When to Call a Professional
Sugar ants are a nuisance and can be bothersome. If you see them or any other ants, contact a professional. Getting rid of the sugar ants can be difficult on your own and needs to be done. Contacting a local pest control company is the way to go. They can help you find out where they are coming in and how to fix the issue.
Conclusion
Ants can be annoying in the home and can contaminate food. If you can’t get them out of the home on your own, calling a professional is your next step. All South Pest Control will be able to determine your pest services needs and offer the best preventative maintenance for future pest issues in McDonough, GA, and the surrounding areas.
Recent Comments