---
title: "Ant Exterminator - How To Identify & Get Rid Of Ants"
url: https://stacklist.com/card/158fbd82-cc93-43bb-aae3-d6bb37b64ff1
source_url: "https://www.orkin.com/pests/ants"
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summary: "Ants are insects from the family Formicidae that come in three colony castes: queens, workers, and males, with various species that either bite/sting or don't. Orkin provides identification guides and treatment solutions using their A.I.M. method to assess, implement, and monitor ant control programs for homes and businesses."
tags: "ants, pest-control, identification, infestation, orkin, ant-species, home-protection"
key_entities: "Orkin (organization), Formicidae (concept), pheromones (concept), A.I.M. solution (technology), ant-colony (concept), carpenter-ants (concept), fire-ants (concept)"
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acp_version: "0.2"
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visibility: public
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status: "final"
---

# Ant Exterminator - How To Identify & Get Rid Of Ants

Skip to Content GET A QUOTE Ant Facts & Information Protect your home or business from ants by learning techniques for identification and control. Family Formicidae IDENTIFY Types of Ants What do ants look like? Adult ants species come in a variety of shapes and sizes but each will be one of three different colony castes; queens, workers or males. Queens are fertile females that lay all the eggs in a colony. Workers are wingless females that gather food, feed larvae, maintain the nest, defend the colony, and do not reproduce. Male ants are winged and their only job is to mate with the queens during the swarming process. Common Ants Ants That Bite or Sting Acrobat Ant Crematogaster spp. Army Ant Ecitoninae spp. Carpenter Ants Camponotus spp. Cow Killer Ant Dasymutilla occidentalis Elongate Mexican Twig Ant Pseudomyrmex gracilis Field Ant Formica spp. Fire Ant Solenopsis invicta Harvester Ant Pogonomyrmex spp. Moisture Ant Lasius spp. Pavement Ant Tetramorium caespitum Roger's Ant Hypoponera punctatissima Forelius Pruinosus Asian Needle Ant Brachyponera chinensis Bullet Ant Paraponera clavata Common Ants Ants That Don’t Bite or Sting Allegheny Mound Ant Formica exsectoides Argentine Ant Linepithema humile Bigheaded Ant Pheidole spp. Citronella Ant Lasius interjectus Crazy Ant Paratrechina longicornis Ghost Ant Tapinoma melanocephalum Grease Ant Leafcutter Ant Atta & Acromyrmex spp. Little Black Ant Monomorium minimum Odorous Ant Tapinoma sessile Pharaoh Ant Monomorium pharaonis Pyramid Ant Dorymyrmex spp. Rover Ant Brachymyrmex spp. Small Honey Ant Prenolepis imparis Sugar Ant Camponotus consobrinus Tawny Crazy Ant Nylanderia fulva Thief Ant Solenopsis molesta White-Footed Ant Technomyrmex difficilis Ant Treatment How do I get rid of ants? How Orkin Helps Get Rid Of Ants Getting rid of ants and keeping them out of homes and buildings is an ongoing process, not a one-time treatment. Orkin Pros are trained to help manage different types of ants and ant infestation. Since every home or building is different, it’s important to understand ant facts and properly identify ants in order to help manage the situation. By using Orkin’s exclusive A.I.M. solution, a continuing cycle of three critical steps — Assess, Implement and Monitor — your Orkin Pro will design a unique ant control and treatment program to help you repel ants inside your house or anywhere else they may be. With expert knowledge and the proper equipment, you can rely on our ant exterminators to successfully help you deal with ant- and other pest-related problems. Find a branch closest to you for help from an Orkin Pro today. Call us 877-819-5061 Get Your Quote Load More Ant Facts Learn All About Ants The more you know about ants, the better you can predict and control their behavior. Here are some quick facts to help you on your way. Leaving Trails Ants leave an invisible chemical trail which contains pheromones for others to follow once they locate the food source. Nesting Ants can nest anywhere in and around your house—in lawns, walls, stumps, and even under foundation. Lifespan A colony can live a relatively long lifetime. Worker ants may live seven years and the queen may live up to 15 years. Colonies Colonies can number up to 500,000 and whole colonies can uproot and relocate quickly when threatened. More Resources Dig Deeper on Ants Visit the Orkin Pest Library to learn how to identify and control other pests. Explore Our Pest Library Information About Ants Ants Stings Explore the reasons why an ant may sting or bite, along with the symptoms of an ant bite and what to do if stung or bitten. Ants Inside Your Home While any species of ant can be difficult to prevent and manage, effective ant control depends on proper identification of the ant infestation inside your home, knowledge of nest locations and the ant’s preferred foods. Ant Mounds An ant mound is an indication that an ant colony is present – but what you see above ground represents only a small portion of what occurs with overall construction of the ant nest below. Boric Acid & Ants While there are many ready-to-use boric acid bait ant control products available, DIY ant control products may be ineffective at treating an entire ant infestation. Queen Ants Fertile females (queen ants), regardless of species, are often larger and have thicker bodies than other members of the ant colony, making them easily distinguishable. Winged Ants Although a majority of ants are wingless, at certain times of the year, swarms of flying ants are common and typically mean that there's likely an established colony nearby. How Do Ants Reproduce? Reproduction for ants is a complex phenomenon that involves finding, selecting and successfully fertilizing females to ensure that the eggs laid can survive and molt through the successive stages of the lifespan of an ant – larvae, pupae and adults. How Long Do Ants Live? Ants generally have a short life cycle, but some colony members can live from as little as a few days to as long as a few decades – it depends on a number of factors. Types of Ant Nests Explore the three major groups in which ant nests are generally divided and categorized into – ants that nest in soil, ones that nest in wood and ants that are opportunistic nesters. Why Do Ants Come Inside the House During the Winter? Ants often move indoors looking for better conditions, food, moisture, shelter, favorable temperatures and permanent residence. Why Do Ants Go Inside the Walls Ants become dwellers inside walls and other voids to find a more preferred site for food, moisture and protection than what is available to them outdoors. Learn more including how exterminators get rid of ants in walls. Can Ants Hear? Although hearing is very different in ants than animals that typically have ears, ants do possess the capability to hear. Can Ants Smell? Similar to other insects, ants perceive smells with their antennae. What's the Hierarchy of an Ant Colony? Learn more about these extremely social insects by exploring their highly-structured colonies and the important role each caste plays in the overall hierarchy. What Do I Do If I Have Ants In Sink And Walls? Find out what you should do if you have ants in your sinks and walls. How Can I Get Rid Of Little Ants In My Bathroom? Is your bathroom crawling with ants? Find tips on what you should do to remove ants from the bathroom. How Can I Get Rid Of Ants In My Car? Find helpful tips on how to get rid of ants from your car and prevent ant infestations. How Does Ant Bait Work? Learn about ant bait and how it works to remove and control ants. Should I Move An Ant Nest? Find out what steps you should take if you are considering moving an ant nest. Do Ant Bites Have Venom? If you have ever been bit by an ant you already know that it isn't a pleasant experience, but do ants have venom? What are Zombie Ants? The cordyceps fungi takes over ants' brains and muscles to turn them into zombies. Learn more about zombie ants here. When Is Ant Season? Although ants can thrive year-round, they're usually most active between March and October. Largest Ant Colony in the World Learn the history behind the Argentine ant supercolony. Does DIY Ant Control Work? While DIY ant control methods may offer temporary relief, they’re generally ineffective at completely eliminating an ant infestation. Get a quote today Eliminate pests and prevent future problems. 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