Ants

Ants are one of the most successful groups of insects.  They are social insects that live in colonies that are usually located in the ground. There are about 700 species of ant, in the United States and Canada.  Of these, only about 25 species commonly infest homes.  We have a list of some of the more common types of ant located in Berks County.  If you do not see the type of ant you are looking for call us at either 610-589-4091 or 610-589-1790.  Or bring in a sample of your ant into our store and we will be happy to identify it for you.

The Black Carpenter ant is very common in Berks County.  These ants get their name from their habit of hollowing out pieces of wood for nesting purposes.  This can result in structural damage, if not treated. 

Workers are large (1/8-1/2") but may vary in size.  Reproductives are about 1/2-5/8" long.  They are black or combinations of red and black, or completely red and brown.  Antenna is 12 segmented without  a club.  The Thorax lacks spines, is evenly rounded on the upper side.  Pedicel 1-segmented.

Carpenter ants do not have stingers. Although they do not sting their bites can be quite painful.  Workers are capable of emitting a strong formic acid odor.

Carpenter ants feed primarily on insect honeydew, plant and fruit juices, insects, and other arthropods.  Inside the home they will also feed on sweets, eggs, meat, cakes and grease.

Indications of an infestation may be the presence of workers and/or reproductives.  The appearance of small openings on the surface of the wood.  Debris which consist of sawdust-like shavings, fragments of insulation and insect body parts are a very good indication that you have Carpenter nests.  Some of our customers have noted a rustling sound that can be heard from behind the wall.

Most Carpenter ants establish their nest in decayed wood and later expand or enlarge this into sound wood.  Nest are located in wood, insulation, and/or wall voids.  Outside, nest are typically located in rotting fence post, stumps, old firewood, dead portions of standing trees, under stones and fallen logs. 

The Odorous house ant give off a pungent, "rotten-coconutlike" odor when crushed.  It is a native species to Berks County.

Workers are about 1/16-1/8" long.  The body is brown to black.  Antenna is 12-segmented without a club.  Thorax lacks spine.  It is unevenly round.  Pedicel 1-segmented, with small node/segment hidden/concealed from view from above by base of abdomen.

Stingers are absent.  However workers emit a disagreeable, rotten coconut like odor.  When workers are alarmed, they run around in an erratic manner with their abdomens raised up.

Inside homes these ants usually construct their nests in wall voids especially around hot water pipes and heaters, in crevices around sinks, cupboards, etc.  These ants prefer sweets but also eat foods with high protein content and grease such as meats and cheese.

Outside, they are often found in the nest of larger ants, in exposed soil, but mostly under objects.  Workers feed on insects, seek honeydew and plant secretions and even feed on seeds.  They are most likely to come inside when their honeydew supply is reduced such as during rainy weather or with leaf fall in the autumn.

The Pavement ant is commonly located in or under cracks in pavement.  Pavement ants were introduced from Europe by the early colonists.

Workers are about 1/16-1/8" long.  Queens are about 3/8" long. The body is light brown to black with paler legs and antennae.  Head and Thorax grooved with parallel lines.  Antennae is 12-segmented, with 3-segmented club.  Thorax with pair of small spines on upper back part, unevenly rounded.  Pedicel 2-segmented. 

Stinger is present. Although not aggressive, can bite and sting.

Swarmers can be distinguished from other ant swarmers by the presence of grooves on their head and thorax, similar to those of workers.  Winged reproductive's appear outside primarily in June and July, but may emerge anytime inside including the winter months.

Inside pavement ants will occasionally nest in walls, insulation, and under floors.  The most likely place is in the ground-level walls of the foundation and especially near some heat source in the winter.  They often follow pipes which come through slats for access to upper floors of buildings.

Outside Pavement ants nest under stones, cracks in pavement, and next to building.  They enter buildings through cracks in the slab and walls, slab expansion joints and natural openings of buildings.  These ants feed on almost anything including insects, honeydew, seeds, plant sap, and household foods such as meat, nuts, cheese, honey, and bread, although Pavement ants show a preference to meats and grease.

The Pharaoh ants name resulted from the mistaken belief that this ant was one of the plagues of Egypt in the time of the Pharaohs.  Pharaoh ants are thought to be native to the African region.  Pharaoh ants have been strongly implicated in the spread of various disease pathogens.

Workers are about 1/16" long.  Body is usually pale, varying from yellowish to reddish, with abdomen often darker to blackish.  Antennae is 12-segmented, with 3-segmented club.  Thorax lacks spine, unevenly rounded.  Pedicel 2 segmented.   Queen is about 1/8" long, with/without wings and slightly darker in color than workers.  Males are about 1/16" long winged, black in color, antennae straight, not elbowed. 

Stinger is present. 

Pharaoh ants do not produce swarmers mating takes place within the nest.

Pharaoh ants nest in warm, humid areas near a source of food and/or water.  Nest are usually located in inaccessible areas such as wall voids, behind baseboards,  furniture, under floors and between linens.  They commonly use electrical and telephone wires as a highway systems to travel through walls and between floors.  Pharaoh ants are a common problem in commercial food handling establishments.

Outside, Pharaoh ants usually cannot survive outdoors year round.  They have a wide preference for food, ranging from syrups to fruits, pies, meats and dead insects.  They use carbohydrates primarily for maintenance whereas, protein is required for larval development and egg production by the queens.

(Insect Information excerpted from the NPCA Field Guide to Structural Pests)