Finding ants in the kitchen, bathroom, or anywhere else in your home is not only annoying, it’s gross! Ants can contaminate food and spread bacteria so the last place you want them is inside of the home.

Unfortunately, ants are pretty common here in Ohio and Northern Kentucky. In fact, there are many different types of ants in Ohio that can cause trouble for you.

Understanding what Ohio ants you might be dealing with - and also how to get rid of them - will help ensure that you don’t have to put up with these pests.

In this article, we’ll cover:

Common Ohio Ant Species
Where Do Ants Come From?
Why Are There Ants in My House?
How to Get Rid of Ants in Ohio?
Choosing Perimeter Pest Control Services in Cincinnati, Dayton, OH and Northern Kentucky

Common Ohio Ant Species

In the Ohio and Northern Kentucky region, we have a number of common ant species. But three that we see most often are the Carpenter, Pavement, and Odorous House Ants. Let’s talk about each of these different types of ants in Ohio.

Carpenter Ants

Carpenter Ants are among the better-known ants because they are so large. They can grow up to ¾” long and often make their homes inside wood - earning them their association with carpenters. While Carpenter Ants don’t feed on the wood like termites do, they can still cause damage with the tunnels they create to make room for their nests.

Pavement Ants

Pavement Ants (also sometimes called “Slab Ants”) commonly make their nests along sidewalks and other hardscaping - hence their name. They are usually reddish-brown to brown in coloring, but they can also be black. Pavement Ants are known to be house-invading, typically in search of food.

Odorous House Ants

Odorous House Ants earned their common name because they smell like rotten coconut when crushed. They are considered one of the most common pests in our region and much more likely to get inside a home than many other types of ants.

We often see increased activity during rainy spring and summer days, when they are commonly found in kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms. If you spot small black ants in Ohio, it’s likely to be the House Ant.

Where Do Ants Come From?

Any time you see ants inside your home, it can indicate a problem outside. Ants live in colonies and will build their nests underground, in trees, along pavement, or sometimes against the foundation of your home. Ants also like decaying wood like a rotting branch left in the yard or an old tree stump.

While ants originate outside, there are a couple of reasons why they might make their way inside. Food and shelter are two of the primary ones. We’ll talk about that next.

Why Are There Ants in My House?

Now that you know a little bit more about the Ohio ants you’re likely seeing, you probably want to know why they’re coming inside.

As we’ve mentioned, ants are coming into your home from outside. It may be that these ants have nests set up outdoors and are only making their way inside temporarily because they are seeking high and dry ground during rain or have followed a path inside to food.

Some species, like Carpenter Ants, have been known to forage up to 100 yards from their nest for food. If you find ants in your kitchen, they may be feasting on spills, crumbs, or other lingering food remnants.

Ants can be tireless in their efforts to bring food resources back to their colonies; they will find food deposits in drains, cracks, and other hidden spots, regardless of how meticulously you clean. It’s a misconception that ants only invade “dirty homes.” Given the tiny nature of these creatures, they’ll be happy with the tiniest crumbs. That being said, keeping a clean and tidy kitchen can still help to reduce any possible attractors for ants.

Because ants are so small, they can find their way inside of your home through tiny cracks and crevices. Ants might also come in through doors, windows, garages, and other entries.

How to Get Rid of Ants in Ohio?

You’ll find lots of DIY solutions exist for getting rid of ants. You can use store-bought ant traps to address ants that have already made it into your home.

But successfully getting rid of ants means tackling the outdoor ant problem that started your trouble. Their colonies are often around or near a property’s foundation. Once you start treating the exterior on a regular basis, you should notice ant activity inside drop off drastically.

Perimeter pest control services will help you address ants outdoors and help prevent them from making their way indoors.

At Oasis Turf & Tree, our perimeter pest control service is performed entirely outside of the home, which eliminates the hassle of having to be home while it’s being done (as would be the case with an exterminator). It’s also nice to keep the products outside of your home rather than having chemicals applied inside, as would have to happen if it gets to the point of an infestation.

Choosing Perimeter Pest Control Services in Cincinnati, Dayton, OH and Northern Kentucky

There are a lot of pest control companies in Cincinnati and Dayton, OH, as well as Northern Kentucky, that claim to deal with ants. But it’s unlikely you need an exterminator if you only have a minor ant problem. Typically, Perimeter Pest Control will be enough to do the job.

Having a lawn care company that is already servicing your property incorporate this additional service will cost a fraction of the amount to hire a traditional exterminator - plus they’ll be taking the same steps as an exterminator while spraying the outside foundation of your home. Perimeter Pest Control works by creating a “shield” to keep the pests from creeping into your property in the first place. The ants come in direct contact with the applied products - which are undetectable to them - when attempting to get inside.

One of the biggest benefits of Perimeter Pest Control is that the technician never has to enter your home. The service is performed entirely outside, which offers you the convenience of not having to be at home to let someone in. In addition, Perimeter Pest Control will also help keep spiders, centipedes, and other creepy-crawlies away.

This kind of ant control program ensures that ants no longer have the opportunity to ruin a great time in your backyard. You’ll be able to enjoy outdoor dinners, sitting in the grass with your kids, or running barefoot on your lawn, without ants crawling all over your feet and legs.

If you’d like to find out more about the perimeter pest control services we offer, call 513-697-9090, or contact us for a free estimate.

Image Sources: carpenter ant, pavement ant, house ant