Ants can be significant nuisances to Ohio homeowners. Whether they’re eating their way through your kitchen, building nests in your foundation, or infiltrating your yard—you need to keep them at bay before they cause severe damage. To help you maintain an ant-free home, here are three of the most common species throughout the state and how you can practice effective ant control.

3 Common Ohio Ant Species

1. Carpenter Ants

According to Ohio State University, the carpenter ant is the most common in the state. It’s also one of the largest ant species in the country measuring ½ inch long. 

Although they don’t eat wood, they chew through it to create their nests, which may lead to structural damage in your home. These ants are attracted to sweets such as syrup, honey, jelly, and granulated sugar. Since they seek moisture, they can be found around areas with water damage like a basement or crawl space, or you may notice them in your kitchen, bathroom, living room.

To discourage them from coming inside, be diligent about tightly sealing any sweets and store them in cabinets or the refrigerator. Also, keep your home dry by wiping away any standing water and having leaks repaired as soon as you notice them.

2. Pavement Ants

True to their name, these ants gather around your pavement, masonry, and woodwork. Although they primarily dwell outdoors, they can make their way inside your home in search of food. Everyday items can attract this species and include grease, meat, and other insects. At no more than a ¼ inch long, they quickly access homes through foundation gaps and cracks. During summer, they don’t usually enter your home, but in winter they nest indoors, so anticipate potential ant control.

Be sure to have your home inspected by an ant control specialist for any cracks in the foundation or broken seals around the windows before winter. Ensuring that these vulnerable areas are fixed will keep pests from being able to find shelter inside.

3. Grease Ants

They’re also called “thief ants” because they tend to nest near other species and steal their food and young. They also like grease, meat, and cheese. While they are most attracted to greasy foods, they’ll even eat small rodents after they have died. To prevent grease ants, properly store high-protein foods, and use bait traps to catch and release them outside of your home. If they continue to find their way inside, contact an ant control specialist to have your home evaluated and treated.

If you need effective ant control in your home, look no further than Free Bee Pest Control LLC. Proudly providing the Greater Dayton area with thorough residential pest control, they offer free estimates, and all of their employees are state-certified exterminators. Their pest control tactics are eco-friendly and protect non-invasive pest populations, like the honeybee. To schedule your estimate, give them a call today at (937) 242-6170 or visit them online for more information.