In the pest control business, we know that ants sometimes prefer sweet, sugary foods and sometimes they’d rather feed on protein-based, oily foods. Ants’ food preferences are often seasonal, and often related to development of the young in the colony. We often have to switch our baits until we figure out what the ants are feeding on this week. Almost every type of ant though will feed on “honeydew.” Yummy! Aphid “Honeydew” Honeydew has nothing to do with honeydew melons. It’s the ...

Question We have an ongoing problem in our house with what we were told were pavement ants. I believe these are the same ants that we see outside but we can never figure out how they’re getting in. They’re driving me nuts! Any ideas? Answer Pavement ants are primarily outdoor nesters but they will forage inside looking for food. It doesn’t take much of an opening to let ants inside. They sometimes will follow plumbing pipes or electrical or cable lines right into the house. Often, ...

The number one pest in homes and buildings? Cockroach is a good guess—but wrong. And despite all of the publicity, the bed bug isn’t even close. According to a survey of pest control companies all over America, it’s the lowly ant. And 54% of those companies say ant complaints are on the increase.There have always been ants of course. Having watched the evolution, and rise and fall of various pests over a 30 year career, I’ve had the feeling that the ants just sit back and smile ...

Q. We have stacked firewood at the back door of our house and the wood seems to be full of big, black ants. I’ve told my husband that he needs to move that woodpile away from the house because the ants could get inside. Could these be carpenter ants and what are the chances that they would move into the house and do damage?A. They could indeed be carpenter ants. Carpenter ants are our largest ants. A woodpile, especially if it’s sitting directly on the ground, would be a typical ...

With June-like temperatures once again this past week, the warm, dry weather continues to push the spring season along.  Fruit bud stages (apple) are nearly three weeks ahead of normal in my orchard.  The fruit trees aren’t the only things rushing ahead of schedule.  I observed swarming carpenter ants for the first time this season also this past week.  This occurred at one of my scheduled stops! (This was really fortunate because it showed me exactly where the nest was.)  The property ...

Q. I really like ants and I want to do a school report on the life of ants. Can you tell me how an ant nest operates? My mom said it was okay to get some help from pest experts as long as I use my own words.A. Happy to help. The words here in italics are entomology terms that you should look up. As you probably already know, ants are called social insects because they live in a large cooperative group or nest called a colony. Individuals in a colony help each other out. Two or more ...

Ants found indoors may be nesting in your house, or they may just be coming indoors looking for food or water. A pest control professional can determine which is the case and can set up an ant management program. But the pest control technician needs your help, too. Below are certain steps that you can take to help keep ants out of your home.Most ants feed on sweets or meats and grease. Wipe up spills immediately. Clean crumbs and drips from shelves, counters, and floors. Don’t overlook ...

Q. We have these very tiny, yellowish ants in several places in our townhouse. We’ve had a pest control company spraying for them. They’ve been out here several times and they can’t seem to get rid of the ants. I’m getting tired of this. Is there anything else we can do? Should I just get another company?A. The answer to your dilemma depends on a couple of things. First, the type of ant you’re dealing with. “Very tiny yellow ants” sounds like pharaoh ...

Ants around the outside perimeter of their home are often there because the ants are feeding on “honeydew” on foundation plants. Honeydew is the term for the anal excretions of certain insects that suck plant juices: like aphids, whiteflies, and scale insects. Honeydew can be seen as sticky, sugary droplets on the plant, or in the case of houseplants, on the floor or table surfaces below the plant. Ants love to eat honeydew and will actually tend or take care of aphids and other ...