St. Charles Ant Control

Common Types of Ants Found in Missouri

For both residential and commercial property owners, ants can prove a real nuisance. The University of Missouri advises that they can nest and build colonies in a variety of places, including wood piles, cracks in concrete blocks, under stones or walls, in potted plant containers, and in the ground near home or building foundations. While there are more than 450 different types of ants throughout North America, there are only about ten that are likely to be found in homes in Missouri. These include:

• Odorous house ants: The most common type of home infesting ant, these are dark in color and get their name from the vaguely fruity smell they give off when crushed.
• Pharaoh ants: Smaller than odorous house ants, these are light tan in color and tend to infest food supplies.
• Acrobat ants: Light brown in color, these are drawn to sweet or greasy foods and often infest trees and other wood surfaces.
• Pavement ants: These are winged ants that often nest under stones or pavement before eventually making their way indoors.
• Larger yellow ants: These reddish-yellow ants resemble termites and often nest in the soil around building foundations.
• Field ants: These are similar to fire ants, which dig burrows throughout your yard.
• Carpenter ants: One of the most potentially destructive types of ants, these eat massive amounts of wood and can cause extensive damage in and around your home.

The University of Missouri advises that ants can be notoriously hard to eliminate and that rather than wasting time, money, and effort in attempting to eradicate them yourself, it is best to call in the professionals. At Amco Ranger, we do a thorough inspection to identify the type of ant you are having problems with and the best method for eliminating them from your home or commercial property.