Author: Kurt Treftz, Cascade Pest Control
From invasive species to native annoyances, ants are everywhere. Moisture ants can be a particularly vexing pest. The Pacific Northwest is no exception.
Identifying Moisture Ants
Appearance:
Moisture ants are ⅛” inch (4-4.5mm) insects with a yellow to dark brown coloring. They usually have a translucent abdomen.
Habits:
This ant specie gets their name because they prefer damp / wet locations and their translucent middle can make them look wet. Their colonies grow rapidly under the right conditions. They can bite, but the bite is generally painless and they aren’t known as aggressive. Some species of moisture ants give off a citrusy-lemon scent when crushed.
Diet:
These ants prefer a sweet diet that attracts them to sweet items in your pantry. In nature, they feed on honeydew produced by aphids and scales.
Habitats:
Because of their preference for wet environments, moisture ants (as their name implies) make their nests in wet soil or rotting wood. They can be found in moist ground near homes, where they build mud tunnels between the ground and wood.
Concerns About Moisture Ants
Moisture ants are considered a nuisance insect more than an aggressive threat. The concern with this ant is that they can be a warning of other problems. Because these ants are attracted to moisture, they can signal a leak or other problem if they are found in your walls, crawl spaces, or foundations. While they don’t destroy wood, like carpenter ants or termites, they can be found in areas of structural weakness due to moisture damage.
The mud tunnels they build can also mimic termite tubes so that they may unnecessarily alarm homeowners. If you have questions about what type of ant infestation you are facing, call the ant exterminator experts at Cascade Pest Control.
Controlling Moisture Ants
Fix leaks
Be sure to fix any leaks (both inside and outside your home) immediately. A problem doesn’t get better with time.
Maintain a dry environment
Avoid letting water collect. Empty pots and buckets outside and watch for moisture collecting inside as well.
Clean up rotting debris
If your lawn has organic material like fallen logs and leaves, it is best to keep that cleaned up or keep it far from your home / structures. This will help to discourage these ants from getting a foothold.
Seal up entry points
Check that your home isn’t inviting these pests through openings, cracks, or poor seals. Keep your house well-maintained so that ants don’t have an open invitation to invade.
Use air-tight containers in your pantry
Don’t attract ants to your kitchen. Keep it clean and swept. Ensure any food is kept in sealed containers to discourage ants from finding an easy meal.
Call the Ant Experts
If you find yourself with moisture ants, you can find a solution with Cascade. Our ant control technicians can identify your problem and provide a plan of attack. Call today 888-989-8979 today!
