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Household Insects
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Carpenter Ants
by Dennis M. Ferraro Extension Educator Douglas/Sarpy Extension
Unit
There are two types of carpenter ants found in this area. The large
black one is the most common. It is 1/2 to 3/4 in length. All large
black ants, however, are not carpenter ants. You may bring specimens
to either office for identification. Most of the other carpenter
ants found here are much smaller, and they may be red or red and
black.
Carpenter ants do not eat wood, but usually live in damaged wood or
wood stressed by moisture. They will make holes in this wood to lay
eggs and create colonies. they eat sweet or greasy food items and
other insects.
During the winter, carpenter ants are often found in wall voids and
hidden cavities in the house. Popular locations are in and around
dishwashers, walls around shower stalls and windows that have
condensation on them. Occasionally, some ants will be seen looking
for food near where they are living. Sighting more than a dozen ants
in week in an area is a good indication that there is a nest nearby.
The best prevention is to assure that there are no areas with large
amounts of moisture in wood. Surface spraying with insecticides does
little but keep the ants hidden within the walls. Proper control is
achieved by placing chemicals into the wall voids or cavities. It
may be necessary to drill holes into the walls to do this. Due to
the moisture content and structure of the spaces in which the ants
are living, a dust type of insecticide words best. There are several
available for this purpose. the insecticidal dust applications
should be restricted to the areas associated with ant problems.
Entire structure treatments are usually unnecessary for proper
damage control. If the problem continues, consult a professional
pest control operator.
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Pharaoh Ants
by Dennis Ferraro Extension Educator Douglas/Sarpy Extension Unit
These very small insects are found in bathrooms and kitchens. They
are similar in appearance to thief ants, as both are thin and less
than 1/16 inch in length. They are yellowish-brown to shiny dark
brown in color. Both like to live in walls, where they develop large
colonies. Before trying to control these ants, bring a sample to the
extension office for identification. The two ants have dissimilar
habits which require different control methods.
Pharaoh ants are imported insects which cannot survive Nebraska
winters outdoors. They invade buildings in the fall, seeking warmth.
Established colonies are very large, and may have several queens.
Colonies are frequently located in voids and cavities near heat
sources. These ants are also attracted to water sources.
They feed on sweet items, but will eat many other things. Their
unusual habit of splitting their colony makes the application of
insecticides counterproductive. A typical spraying will usually
cause an increase rather than a reduction in the number of pharaoh
ants. Special baits, such as one made of mint-apple jelly and boric
acid, carefully placed in wall voids give excellent results. This
can be prepared at home with three parts jelly and one part boric
acid, or purchased commercially. Insect hormone sprays are also
helpful. Do not use household sprays which are not specifically
labeled for pharaoh ants.
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Thief Ants
by Dennis Ferraro Extension Educator Douglas/Sarpy Extension Unit
These very small insects are found in bathrooms and kitchens. They
are similar in appearance to pharaoh ants, as both are thin and less
than 1/16 inch in length. They are yellowish-brown to shiny dark
brown in color. Both like to live in walls, where they develop large
colonies. Before trying to control these ants, bring a sample to the
extension office for identification. The two ants have dissimilar
habits which require different control methods.
The thief ant eats other insects, seeds and nuts, and its common
name refers to its tendency to steal young and stored food from
neighboring colonies. It prefers high protein foods to sweets. The
thief ant's nests may be in soil beneath houses, in rotten wood or
high moisture cavities in buildings (such as walls). They swarm or
fly in the fall.
The use of protein-based baits placed in areas frequented by thief
ants will slowly reduce their numbers. Insecticidal dusts put in
wall voids in combination with a carefully-placed liquid spray along
baseboards also provide satisfactory control.
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