Nuisance ants are typically 1/8” to 1/4” long. They generally are brown or black in color and build their colonies in all types of soil and damp debris. They have a characteristic body shape of three segments with a “pinched neck” behind the head and a “pinched waist” in front of the abdomen. Their antennae are elbowed or L-shaped. Common nuisance ants include Argentine ants, Odorous House ants, Acrobat ants, and a few other species. You may also occasionally see ants with wings and these “winged ants” are the “reproductives” of the colony that are responsible for producing offspring, organizing colony activity, and establishing new colonies. (NOTE: It may be difficult for the average home or business owner to distinguish between “winged ants” and “winged termites.” Cook’s is happy to provide free identification of ants, termites and other pests.)

Nuisance ants typically gain our attention when they invade homes or businesses in search of food and water. They commonly enter a home through openings around windows, doors, foundation vents, and HVAC systems (such as wall air-conditioning units). Nuisance ants can be an annoyance to humans because they infest foods and possibly transmit disease after crawling over waste and refuse.