Ants are no stranger in the Pacific Northwest. Homeowners may commonly spot an ant crawling across the windowsill or a group of ants roaming the yard during the Spring. Spotting a few ants is not an alarming site, however, if you find an army of ants marching in line across your living room floor – you may have an ant infestation in the house.

Seeing an abundance of ants in the house is surely a sign that you have an ant infestation. However, homeowners should familiarize themselves with the additional signs that lead to the discovery of an ant infestation.

Signs of An Ant Infestation In The House

Nests – Ants may build their nests inside or outside your home. Ant nests will appear to be a mound of dirt on the soil’s surface. Ants typically swarm this area making it a telltale sign there is an ant’s nest. Ant nests built inside a home are typically crafted within walls or cracks in old floorboards. If ants are crawling in and out of cracks in your floor or through electrical outlets – there could be a nest hidden under the surface.

Dirt piles – Random dirt piles found outside of your home could be early signs of an ant nest being established.

Wood shavings – Carpenter ants are known to leave wood shavings as small as sawdust behind as they damage a home’s structure. It can be difficult to identify signs of carpenter ants in your home. The piles of wood shavings may be ever-so-slight.

Noise in walls or floors – While you may be skeptical that tiny ants can make loud enough noises to be heard by the human ear, carpenter ants are known to scurry inside the walls of a house and make a faint noise when excavating, similar to the rustling of dry leaves. If you hear suspicious noise coming from your walls on a quiet night in your home, you may consider calling a pest control company to inspect.

Different Types of Ants & Their Problems in the Pacific Northwest

The Pacific Northwest is home to a wide variety of ant species. Not all ants are to worry about – some ants naturally stay away from homes however, ants love to roam and often find their way indoors. The most common ants found in Washington and Oregon are:

• Carpenter ants
• Moisture ants
• Odorous house ants
• Pavement ants
• Thatching ants
• Velvety tree ants
• Flyer Pharaoh Ant

While different species of ants have many similarities such as their appearance and tendency to live in colonies, each type of ants have different behaviors and may become an annoyance to you and your home. For example, carpenter ants are known to nest in wood which makes them a threat to your house’s structure. Learning how to get rid of carpenter ants is different from how to get rid of ants in your kitchen. Ants found roaming your kitchen are typically odorous house ants. These ants are looking to feed off of crumbs left on your counter while carpenter ants could care less about sugary foods.

If you spot one ant, a group of ants are nearby. Ant colonies can include as small as a few hundred ants while some may have 20,000-100,00 ants. Some ants will create satellite colonies near the main colony allowing them to spread out and grow across a space they are roaming.

Dealing with a colony of ants that have infested a space is no joke! If you spot a swarm of ants in or around your house – you will want to ensure your home is protected from an ant infestation.

Types of Damage Caused By An Ant Infestation

Due to the region’s damp climate, our area is home to moisture-loving ants like odorous house ants – also known as sugar ants – and moisture ants. Both of these ants may enter homes looking for food and water sources.

You may find ants in the kitchen, bathroom, or living room due to their foraging behavior and habits. Ants can contaminate food and preparation areas with these bacteria, potentially leading to foodborne illnesses.

• Structural damage to wooden houses

Carpenter ants, common in Seattle and Portland homes, can cause significant structural damage by excavating galleries in wood. These ants don’t eat wood but will build tunnels throughout wood structures to build a home for their colony.

• Damage to electrical wiring in homes

Some ants may find their way near electrical wiring in walls and floors, imposing a risk of short circuits and fires. Regular inspections and prompt action are crucial to mitigate these risks.

How To Get Rid Of Ants In The House

Dealing with a colony of ants that have infested a space is no joke! If you spot a swarm of ants in or around your house – you will want to ensure your home is protected from an ant infestation. So, how do you get rid of ants in the house? While there are numerous DIY ways to prevent ants from entering your home, it can be a headache trying to eradicate a current ant infestation by yourself.

When trying to rid your home of an ant infestation, we recommend calling a professional pest control company experienced in your area and has expertise in ant infestation services. Professional pest control experts can help identify the root cause of an infestation and apply the appropriate solution to ensure the infestation does not return.

Here are a few ways that you as a homeowner can prevent future infestations from occurring:

• During the spring and summer, consider using screens on open windows and doors
• Seal any cracks found in walls, windows, and doors
• Fix any leaks in the plumbing
• Maintain clean and cut vegetation surrounding the home
• Keep garbage in sealed, odorless containers inside and outside the home
• Maintain clean kitchen counters, floors, and pantry areas

If your home is vulnerable to ant infestations, consider regularly scheduled pest control maintenance to inspect your home for any signs of ants. If you aren’t convinced that professional pest control is worth it, read our article about the value of pest control here.

Professional Pest Control In The Seattle & Portland Area

When it comes to determining whether you have an ant infestation in the house, trust the professionals to determine the degree of the issue at hand and the best solution available.

When you hire Pest Pros, we show up at your door ready to work. Our team has over 50 years of combined experience in pest control. Pest Pros is proud to have an Associate Certified Entomologist on staff who can provide educated, well-rounded information about pests and how their presence impacts our environment. 

Our team of pest control experts is ready to help identify if you have an ant infestation in the house. Give us a call at (866) 686-3118 to schedule an appointment or fill out our free estimate form and we’ll be in touch.