Finding ants in your kitchen is an unfortunately common sight, but with their small size and similar appearance between species, it can be tough to narrow down exactly which type or types of ants are in your house. To help you out, we’ve prepared an identification guide for the most common species behind a house ant infestation in your California home.

Rover Ants

Rover ants are small, reddish-brown to blackish-brown ants with smooth, shiny bodies and long legs. Named for their wandering behavior, these ants are found scurrying across floors in search of food. Rover ants are less aggressive and don’t form large, visible mounds outside.

In your home, they will typically invade kitchens and pantries, foraging for sugary substances and crumbs. This species is not known for biting or stinging but can be a lingering nuisance due to their persistent presence and ability to travel in trails.

Argentine Ants

Argentine ants are one of the most common ant species found in California homes. Relatively large and known for their aggressive behavior and ability to dominate other species, these ants often outcompete their neighbors for resources.

Argentine ants live in massive colonies and tend to form long, trailing lines as they move in search of food. Once inside your home, they will search for anything sugary or greasy, and their strong colony structure makes them difficult to eliminate without pest control professionals.

Fire Ants

Fire ants are small, reddish-brown to black insects with smooth, shiny bodies and a stinger at the end of their abdomen. They get their name from the intense, burning pain caused by their venomous stings, which they deliver in rapid succession. A quick way to recognize this pest is to observe its aggressive behavior when its nest is disturbed.

California is home to the red imported fire ant and if they feel their mound or food source is threatened, they will quickly climb and sting the threat. Inside your home, fire ants will invade food sources, build nests in walls or floors, and aggressively defend their colonies.

Carpenter Ants

These massive ants, which can measure up to a full inch in length, are unique. While they burrow into wood to create their nests, they don’t eat the wood the way termites do—carpenter ants actually eat termites.

This ant species also prefers moist, decaying wood, so if your home has water damage or rotting wood, it could be at risk for an infestation. Like termites, they can cause significant structural damage over time as they tunnel through wooden beams and walls, so if you see one, don’t delay.

Request Your Free Pest Control Quote From Dewey Pest and Termite Control

Ant infestations can quickly spiral out of control, but you don’t have to face them alone. No matter what your ant problem may be, or if you want to get ahead of the curve before one even starts, you can count on Dewey Pest and Termite Control. We proudly provide peace of mind through effective pest control solutions around California from Anaheim to Windsor Hills.

Let our team identify household ants for you and stop them in their tracks. Contact us to receive your free pest control quote today!