Types Of Ants In South Carolina

Did you know that South Carolina is home to several types of ants, each with its own habits and quirks? From industrious carpenter ants to yard-infesting fire ants, these pests really know how to take over a property. Unfortunately, that includes the inside of our homes. If you’re thinking, “Um, no thanks,” we’re with you. Ants are super annoying. With that in mind, let’s take a quick look at a few common ants in South Carolina, what you should know about them, and what you can do about them.

Fire ants

These reddish-brown ants range from 1/16 to ¼ inch in length. They are known for their irritating stings. For individuals with a stinging insect allergy, fire ants are more than a nuisance.

Fire ants often build their nests in sunny areas on South Carolina properties. These nests are marked by a mound on the surface. Disturbing a fire ant mound will cause the workers to swarm and sting.

The primary problem with fire ants is their ability to cause a life-threatening allergic reaction, such as anaphylaxis, in certain individuals. They are also known to cause damage to electrical equipment.

To deter these ants, we recommend performing regular yard maintenance, removing potential food sources (inside and outside), eliminating standing water, and cleaning trash receptacles.

Carpenter ants

These ants are the largest to infest houses and other structures in South Carolina. Worker ants can be as small as ¼ inch, while carpenter ant queens can grow up to ¾ of an inch, with some even reaching a length of one inch. Although commonly known as big, black ants, these insects may also have a dark red coloration.

Carpenter ants prefer to nest in damp, decaying wood. They may choose campfire wood, a railroad tie used as a flowerbed border, a log, stump, or structural wood inside your home.

Carpenter ants tunnel into wood and can cause damage to property over time. They are drawn to water-damaged wood and exacerbate the harm. While not as destructive as termites, these pests should not be underestimated.

The key to preventing carpenter ants is moisture and humidity control. Start by cleaning gutters, addressing damp crawl spaces, fixing leaks and other plumbing issues, and addressing other moisture problems. 

Argentine ants

These small light to dark-brown ants range from 1/16 to ¼ inches. They are known for working together, colony to colony. Their small colonies can unite and form a supercolony.

Argentine ants nest in the soil. They'll nest in your lawn and landscaping or carry soil indoors to nest in your wall and floor voids. 

These ants are as prone to climbing in trash as they are to crawling across countertops and food-prep surfaces. When they move from unsanitary locations to areas you keep clean, they can spread germs.

Sanitation around the exterior of your home, such as cleaning trash receptacles and removing leaf litter, will help deter these ants. You'll also want to check your weatherproofing and make sure there are no gaps.

Odorous house ants

These dark brown to black ants measure 1/16 to 1/8 inch in length. When crushed, they emit a strong, rotten coconut-like odor.

Odorous house ants can nest in a surprisingly wide variety of locations, both indoors and outdoors. They may nest under rocks and vegetation outdoors before coming indoors, and once inside, they are likely to nest underneath floorboards.

These ants can be annoying but don’t usually pose a threat to humans. They may contaminate food. 

To discourage odorous house ant activity on your property or inside, you should clean up organic debris, seal entry points, and remove potential food sources inside and out. 

How to get rid of ants in your home or yard

For effective ant infestation elimination, get in touch with Harris Pest Control at the first sign of a problem. Our fully licensed pest control specialists use proven control strategies and draw on their experience to achieve the best results. Additionally, our home pest control services provide property owners in Florence, Myrtle Beach, and throughout the Pee Dee and Grand Strand areas with continuous protection from ants. We will help you to get rid of existing ant problems inside your building and take care of ant mounds in your yard, and then ensure these pests stay away all year round!

Compare our residential plans and pricing below or give us a call for more information!