Call US today!

540-710-0776

  • Pest Control
  • Termite Experts
  • Mold Inspections
  • Real Estate/ Inspection
  • Infra Red Inspection
  • Lead Paint Inspection

How to Get Rid of Carpenter, Fire, Pavement, Pharaoh & Other Types of Ants in Manassas, VA

Ants, large and small, can show up suddenly and in large numbers. It’s always a bit alarming to see a trail of ants in your home. Where are they coming from? How did they get in and what kind of ants are they?

Carpenter Ants

Carpenter ants are reddish black in color and 5/8 inch in size. Carpenter ants will build their nests outside in different wood sources and will come into buildings through wood that is damaged, cracks around windows and doors, or holes that are meant for wires and/or pipes. They will also use tree limbs or shrubs that touch your home to get inside. These ants can cause damage to your home as they create tunnels through wood to build nests. The amount of damage will depend on the number of ants you’re dealing with and how long they have been there.

Red Imported Fire Ants

Red imported ants are dark reddish brown in color and can be 1/8-3/8 inches in size. These ants will build nest mounds in outdoor landscape areas or near the foundation of your home. They will also get inside through holes and/or cracks in the exterior of your home. When the nest of red imported fire ants becomes disturbed, they can and will attack with a painful sting. These stings often result in raised welts that will become white pustules. If a person in allergic to the sting, they will react more severely.

Pavement Ants

Pavement ants are dark brown to blackish in color and 1/8 inch in size. Pavement ants are most likely found in ground-level masonry walls. They will also nest in these walls and in the insulation under floors. Outside of your home they will nest under stones, cracks in pavement and next to buildings. While pavement ants are not dangerous to your health, they can contaminate food.

Pharaoh Ants

Pharaoh ants are light yellow to red in color, with black markings on the abdomen and are 1/16 inches in size. These ants are often found in commercial food handling establishments like hotels, grocery store and hospitals or your home. They will nest in warm, humid areas near food and water sources. Their nests are often located in areas that are hard to get at. Outside, they will nest in shaded areas or under debris. These ants have been implicated in the spread of more than a dozen disease pathogens.

Ant Control

If you’ve never had a run in with ants in your home, consider yourself lucky. But since ants are the number one nuisance pest in the United States, you should take steps to keep them away, so you won’t have to try and get rid of them. Ants will always look for a supply of food and water, so eliminate food and water sources. Seal all entry points into your home and call the professionals if you need help. Professionals will identify the type of ant, eliminate the problem and provide a plan to keep them from coming back. Call CSI Home & Commercial Services. We know ants!