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3 Common Ant Species in South Carolina

There are more than 10,000 ant species all around the world and while they may all look similar, they can be very different. Here in South Carolina, there are three ant species that are prevalent and our South Carolina pest control company is here to share some of their characteristics:

Fire Ants

Fire ants love the warm climates of the south and are often bright red or dark red in color. They’re one of the smallest ants around (most are under 1/5 inch large), however, they can often be found in large groups. Because they like the warmth, you’ll find these ants building large underground nests in the sunny areas of your yard.

Fire ants aren’t often a house pest, but because they bite and are found in such large groups, they can deter families from enjoying their back yard. These ants attack in groups and once they bite you, you’ll feel a very uncomfortable sting. In fact, some people are even allergic to fire ants and their bites can cause an anaphylactic shock.

While these ants love building their homes under ground, you may also find them in rotting logs or around stumps or trees. Because their mounds can be anywhere from 16-24 inches tall, they’re an easily recognizable species of South Carolina ant.

Carpenter Ants

One thing that sets carpenter ants apart from other ants is their size. Carpenter ants are among the largest ants in the world, so if you find ants in your home that are between 5/8 inch and 1/2 inch, they’re probably carpenter ants. Most carpenter ants are black in color, but some can have hues of red, yellow, or a combination.

As their name suggests, these ants make their homes inside of wood and can threaten the integrity of nearly any structure. These ants will seek out stacked areas of wood or wood products and prefer their habitat to be dark and damp (which means they’re more active at night).

Although these ants don’t have stingers, they can emit a formic acid from the tip of their abdomen that may irritate your skin. Look for swarms of these ants in the spring when they develop wings.

Pavement Ants

Pavement ants can be red or black and while they’re often mistaken for carpenter ants, pavement ants are much smaller. These ants are only 1/16 inch to 1/8 inch large and actually only have two parts to their body instead of the usual three.

These ants are often found in driveways, along sidewalks, or in other concrete or asphalt structures (giving them the name “pavement” ants). But because they feed on nearly any type of food, they can also become house pests. If you do find them inside your home, there’s likely a nest outside near your foundation.

Even though these ants are small, they can bite – especially if you step on a group of them. Their bites aren’t poisonous, but will feel like a pinch.

If you find any of these ant species inside your home, don’t hesitate to call our South Carolina pest control professionals. We’ll take care of your problem quickly.

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