Ant infestations are one of the most common pest problems faced by New Jersey homeowners and businesses. Did you know that there are over 700 species of ants in the U.S., with several posing significant problems in New Jersey alone?
While some ants may seem harmless, being vigilant about ant activity should be a priority year-round. Ants can invade your property in search of food and shelter, and once they establish a colony, they can be difficult to control without professional help.
At Dan Can Home Services, led by Dan “The Bug Man” Latini, we specialize in pest control that protects properties across Ocean, Burlington, and Mercer County from ant infestations. While most ant species that enter your home or business require attention, not all ants are cause for concern. For instance, outdoor ants that remain in your garden and do not invade your home can sometimes be left alone without involving an exterminator, as they may even help with soil aeration. However, if ants are venturing indoors or if you’re dealing with species like carpenter ants or odorous house ants, it’s time to take action.
Let’s take a look at the most common ant species in New Jersey and how our comprehensive pest control services can help keep them at bay, providing you with peace of mind year-round.
Carpenter Ants (Camponotus)
Identification: Carpenter ants are one of the largest ants in NJ, typically black, dark brown or reddish. They have a smooth, rounded thorax and can be up to 0.5 inches long.
Fun Facts: Unlike termites, carpenter ants do not eat wood. Instead, they excavate it to create their nests, which can cause significant structural damage over time.
Around Your Property: You might notice sawdust-like material near wooden structures or hear a faint rustling sound in walls. Carpenter ants are often found in moist, decaying wood.
Pavement Ants (Tetramorium immigrans)
Identification: These small, dark brown to black ants are about 1/8 inch long. They have parallel lines on their head and thorax.
Fun Facts: Pavement ants get their name because they often make their nests in cracks in pavement, sidewalks, and driveways.
Around Your Property: You might see small piles of soil near cracks in the pavement or along the edges of your home. Pavement ants are known to invade homes in search of food, especially sweets and greasy substances.
Odorous House Ants (Tapinoma sessile)
Identification: These ants are small, about 1/8 inch long, and range in color from dark brown to black. When crushed, they emit a strong, rotten coconut-like odor.
Fun Facts: Odorous house ants are known for their strong odor and their tendency to move their nests frequently, especially when disturbed.
Around Your Property: These ants often nest indoors in wall voids, under floors, or in insulation. They forage for sugary foods and can become a nuisance in kitchens.
Pharaoh Ants (Monomorium pharaonis)
Identification: Pharaoh ants are tiny, about 1/16 inch long, and are light yellow to red with darker abdomens.
Fun Facts: These ants are notorious for their ability to establish colonies in a wide variety of indoor environments, including hospitals, where they can spread diseases.
Around Your Property: Pharaoh ants are often found in warm, humid areas and can create extensive colonies with multiple queens, making them difficult to control.
Acrobat Ants (Crematogaster cerasi)
Identification: Acrobat ants are small, about 1/8 inch long, and can be light brown to black. They have a distinctive heart-shaped abdomen that they can raise over their thorax when threatened.
Fun Facts: These ants get their name from their ability to lift their abdomen above their head and thorax.
Around Your Property: Acrobat ants often nest in decaying wood, similar to carpenter ants, and can be found in trees, under rocks, and inside homes, especially in moist areas.
Citronella Ants
Identification: Citronella ants are medium-sized, about 1/4 inch long, and yellow to light brown. They emit a strong lemon or citronella odor when crushed. They are often found caring for the colony’s eggs in large groups. We find them a lot in un-serviced termite stations.
Fun Facts: These ants are often mistaken for termites due to their similar appearance and swarming behavior.
Around Your Property: Citronella ants nest in soil, under logs, and rocks. They do not cause structural damage but can become a nuisance if they invade your home.
What Will Keep Ants Away & Save You Money?
Before calling in the professionals, there are several steps you can take to manage ant problems on your own:
- Keep it Clean: Ants are attracted to food and water. Clean up spills immediately, keep food stored in sealed containers, and don’t leave pet food out.
- Seal Entry Points: Use caulk to seal cracks and gaps around windows, doors, and foundations to prevent ants from entering.
- Remove Moisture: Fix any leaky pipes or faucets and ensure proper ventilation in damp areas like basements and attics.
- Natural Repellents: Use natural deterrents like vinegar, lemon juice, and essential oils (e.g., peppermint or tea tree oil) to create barriers that ants avoid.
- Bait Traps: Place ant bait stations in areas where you’ve seen ants. The bait attracts ants, which then carry it back to their colony, effectively reducing the population.
Protect Your Home with Dan Can Home Services
It’s important to keep your home free from ants and other pests. Our Home Service Plan is designed to provide effective ant control and lasting peace of mind. Whether you need a one-time, warrantied service for immediate relief or prefer routine scheduled visits to prevent future infestations, our plans are customized to meet your needs and keep your home pest-free year-round.
Pest control is no longer just about extermination—it’s about ensuring your peace of mind. Our team will carefully assess your home, implement targeted solutions, and make sure it remains a safe and comfortable environment for your family.
Why Choose Dan Can Home Services?
Dan “The Bug Man” and his expert team bring extensive knowledge and experience in handling all types of ants and pests. We customize our services based on your specific needs, offering ongoing support for long-term protection. As a local provider serving Ocean, Burlington, Mercer County, and beyond, we know the unique pest challenges that NJ homes face. Our goal is to give you peace of mind by protecting your home and family so you can live comfortably and worry-free.
Call 609-224-8071 or Contact Us for help with ant pest control in New Jersey
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I know if I have an ant infestation? A: Common signs include seeing large numbers of ants, finding trails of ants, and noticing ant nests outside or inside your home.
Q: Are your pest control methods safe for pets and children? A: Following the label and applying in a safe and effective manner, we can say that once areas have had time to dry or re-entry periods have been met, treated areas can be contacted by your family, pets included. We only use applications that are little to no toxicity. What we use at your home, we use at ours! We do offer 25B Natural Products as well!
Q: How quickly can you come to my home for an ant problem? A: We offer prompt service and can often schedule an appointment within 24-48 hours.
Q: Do you offer any guarantees for your services? A: Yes, our one-time services come with a warranty, and our routine plans are designed to provide ongoing protection and peace of mind.
Q: What should I do if I see ants after treatment? A: It’s normal to see some ant activity after treatment as the ants come into contact with the products we’ve applied. If the problem persists, we offer follow-up services to ensure complete control.
Contact Dan Can Home Services today to schedule your consultation and discover how we can protect your home from ants and other pests. Remember, at Dan Can Home Services, we can because we care!