Ants
About
Social insects, ants live together in large groups working closely together to maintain their nest. Their work ethic makes ants difficult to prevent and control; they are committed to the success of their colony by finding reliable sources of food and water and often maintaining multiple nesting sites.
Ants are common wherever people live and spend time because our trash cans, outdoor eating areas, gardens, and landscaping provide them with food. Ants are omnivores and have a wide diet, feeding on many of the same proteins and sweets as we do.
Connecticut is home to many species of ants:
- Carpenter ants are large ants that nest inside of wood. Carpenter ants are destructive when they choose to nest in our homes.
- Pavement ants prefer to nest in the soil next to sidewalks, in the cracks of pavement, next to the foundation of buildings, and within masonry walls.
- Odorous house ants are identified by the rotten-coconut odor they produce when stepped on or otherwise squished.
- Citronella ants are named for the citronella-like odor they emit when threatened or squished.
In our area, most insects, like ants, are active during the spring, summer, and fall seasons, and this remains true for ants. Ants living indoors can remain active during the winter months due to our temperature-controlled homes. When in our homes, ants are more than just annoying; they spread bacteria to surfaces, contaminate your family's food, and can cause structural damage by nesting within structural wood or getting into electrical equipment like HVAC units and causing electrical shorts.
To help make your Norwalk property and home less attractive to ants, we want to provide you with a list of our most effective prevention tips.
- If you notice ants wandering near your home's exterior, follow them and see where they are getting in. Seal that entry points and any other crack or crevice you discover.
- Moisture attracts ants. Avoid attracting ants by fixing leaky pipes, clogged gutters, and roof damage.
- Take away their easy access to food by regularly harvesting fruits and vegetables from gardens, keeping lids on trash cans, and maintaining a clean kitchen and your family's eating areas.
- Get rid of debris from your yard that ants nest under like leaf piles, woodpiles, tree stumps, and fallen trees.