Types of Ants in Texas

An ant infestation is never a positive experience, but the type of ant that is invading your home can impact the seriousness of an infestation. Some ants are relatively harmless. Other types cause significant structural damage to a home. While this brief guide can help you understand the different types of ants in Texas, hiring a professional exterminator for an ant infestation is the best way to properly identify the ants that are infesting your home.

Ants in Texas

Common ant types in Texas include fire ants, pyramid ants, Texas leafcutting ants, carpenter ants and Pharaoh ants. Fire ants are especially pesky because of their painful stings. A colony of fire ants can sting a person dozens of times during an encounter lasting only seconds. Pyramid ants tend to stay outdoors because they prefer to make a nest in a wide open area that receives a lot of sunshine.

Texas leafcutting ants are a type of ant that stays outdoors. These ants form their nests around leafy plants. The problem with Texas leafcutting ants is that they actually remove the leaves of the plants that their nest surrounds. Carpenter ants cause structural damage to a home by burrowing through wood and weakening any wooden components of a building. Pharaoh ants are known for their affinity for sugar. Households that keep candy and other sweets in the pantry may be targeted by these types of ants.

Professional Exterminators For Ant Control

If you have seen ants in and around your home, you should contact a professional exterminator for help. Dealing with an ant infestation is especially difficult when you are not sure what kind of ants are present in your home. Professional exterminators have experience effectively handling all types of ants.