Odorous House Ant
Habitat
Odorous house ants have sweet tooths sugary goods and are especially fond of honeydew. They are known to move their nests every three months or so in response to rain.
Indoors, odorous house ants nest near moisture sources, such as in wall voids near hot water pipes, in heaters, beneath leaky fixtures and inside wood damaged by termites. Outside, odorous ant mounds and trails are often found in exposed soil or under stacks of firewood.
Threats
Odorous house ants do not pose a public health risk, but they can contaminate food and should be avoided.
Carpenter Ant
Habitat
All species of carpenter ants mainly attack wood that is or has been wet and damaged by mold. Even though these black carpenter ants first invade wet, decayed wood, they may soon begin building paths through dry, undamaged wood. They usually come into buildings through cracks around doors, windows, or through holes for wires. They will also crawl along overhead wires, shrubs, or tree limbs that touch the building far above the ground.
Carpenter ants build their nests outdoors in various wood sources, including tree stumps, firewood or landscaping. They need a constant water source to survive. Carpenter ants will enter the house through wet, damaged wood.
Threats
Carpenter ants damage wood through their nest building. If they gain entry to a structure, they pose a property threat.
Pavement Ant
Habitat
These black colored ants will eat almost anything. Pavement ants have been known to consume insects, seeds, honeydew, honey, bread, meats, nuts and cheese. They forage in trails for distances of up to 30 feet and are known to climb masonry walls that enter into occupied areas.
In buildings, pavement ants are most likely to be found in ground-level masonry walls, but they also nest in walls, insulation and under floors. Outside, these ants typically nest under stones, pavement cracks and beside buildings.
Threats
Black pavement ants do not pose a public health risk, but they can contaminate food and should be avoided in general.