There’s nothing worse than an ant infestation in your wall. They can be a real nuisance, and, depending on the ant species, they can also damage your walls over time. Ants are a common household pest, and, unfortunately, they can be very difficult to get rid of.
In this blog post, we’re going to teach you everything you need to know about an ant infestation in walls: how to get rid of ants, how to know if there are ants in wall cavities, and the benefits and drawbacks of having ants around. Keep reading for more information!
How To Know If There Are Ants In Your Walls?
One of the most common ways to tell if you have an ant infestation in your wall cavities is by listening for the sound of crawling ants in the affected wall. This sound can be soft scratching and the sound of gnawing as they eat away on the wood inside your wall.
Another way to tell if ants have nested in your wall is by looking for small holes in the drywall. These holes are typically made by carpenter ants, and they’re usually about the size of a dime. If you see these holes, it’s likely that ants are living inside your walls.
The best way to confirm that ants are living in your walls is to see them coming out of the walls. You can sometimes also detect visible ant trails in and around your home. These trails are usually made by ants that are looking for food.
Why Do Ants Nest In Walls?
Ants typically nest in walls because it’s a dark and protected place. Ants also like to nest in walls because they’re close to food sources. If you have ants in your walls, your wall has been compromised in some way. It’s worth looking into it.
Carpenter ants are the most common type of ant that nests in walls. These ants are attracted to wood, so they’re often found in homes that have a lot of wood paneling or trim.
Fire ants are another type of ant that likes to nest in walls. These ants are attracted to heat, so they’re often found in homes that have a lot of electrical wiring.
What Species Of Ants Are Likely In Your Walls?
There are a few different common ant species of ants that are known to nest in walls, but the most common ones are carpenter ants and fire ants.
Carpenter Ants
These ants are small insects that are typically reddish-black in color. These ants like to nest in wood, so they’re often found in homes that have a lot of wood paneling or trim. You can identify these ants by looking for the following traits:
– Small, reddish black bodies
– 1/4-1/2 inches in size
– Most common in cool, damp climates of the northern part of the United States.
– These ants can cause severe damage to wooden structures. They tunnel through the wood to build their nests and weaken it in the process. The severity of the damage will depend on the number of colonies present and how long they’ve been living there.
Fire Ants
Fire ants are small imported insects that are typically dark reddish brown in color. These ants like to nest in areas that are warm and close to food sources. You can identify these ants by looking for the following traits:
– Small, reddish brown bodies
– 1/8-3/8 inch in size
– Found near food and water sources usually near foundations of buildings throughout the southern United States.
– Red imported fire ants are dangerous. They are very aggressive and will attack with a painful sting if disturbed. This can result in a raised welt that eventually becomes a white pustule. Some people are also allergic to these and will react more severely.
Sugar Ants
Sugar ants, also sometimes called pavement ants, are small insects that are typically brown or black. These ants like to nest in areas that are close to food sources, and unfortunately, that includes your walls. You can identify these ants by looking for the following traits:
– Small, brown or black body
– Found near food sources or under paving
– They do not pose a health risk, but they can contaminate food if they get into your home
Keep in mind that all sugar ants are pavement ants, but not all pavement ants are sugar ants so you might be dealing with different species.
Pharaoh Ants
Pharaoh ants are small insects that are typically yellowish-brown. These ants like to nest in areas that are close to food sources, and unfortunately, that includes your walls. You can identify these pharaoh ants by looking for the following traits:
– Small, yellowish-brown body
– Usually found near food and water sources
– Pharaoh ants can spread diseases and damage your property. It’s also very difficult to get rid of ants of this species.
Acrobat Ants
Acrobat ants are small insects that are typically black or brown. These ants like to nest in areas that are close to food sources, and unfortunately, that includes your walls. You can identify these ants by looking for the following traits:
– Small, black or brown body
– Acrobat ants are not a thread, but they are a nuisance.
– Known for stripping insulation from around electric wires.
– It can be difficult to kill ants of the acrobat ants species.
Argentine Ants
Argentine ants are small insects that are typically black or dark brown. These ants like to nest in areas that are close to food sources or in wet environments like your bathroom walls. You can identify argentine ants by looking for the following traits:
– Small, black, or dark brown body
– 1/16-1/4 inch in size
– Found mainly in ant colonies around wt environments and near food sources throughout the southeastern United States.
– Argentine ants are not a threat, but they can be a nuisance when they get into your food and walls. They excrete a musty scent when crushed.
Odorous ants
Odorous ants are small insects that are typically dark brown or black. These ants like to nest in areas that are close to food sources. You can identify these ants by looking for the following traits:
– Small, dark brown or black body
– Range in size from 1/16-1/8 inch.
– When crushed, they emit a rotten coconut-like smell.
– Found all around the United States
– Do not pose a health threat or damage property. They are simply a nuisance when they get into your food storage.
Crazy Ants
Crazy ants are small insects that are typically dark brown to black in color. These ants like to nest in areas that are close to food sources, and unfortunately, that includes your walls. You can identify these ants by looking for the following traits:
– Small, dark brown to black body with a gray sheen.
– Range from 1/16-1/8 inch in size.
– When disturbed, they run erratically in all directions
– They are found throughout the United States in both dry and moist habitats near food.
– Crazy ants tend to enter homes in the fall or after rainfall. You’ll usually find them nesting under floors or carpeting.
– They do not pose a threat but can be a nuisance when they get into your food supply.
What Do Ants Eat?
Ants are attracted to sweet foods, so they’ll often eat things like sugar and honey. However, ants will also eat just about anything else, including other insects.
If you have ants in your walls, it’s likely that they’re feeding on the same food that you are. This can be a real nuisance, and it can also lead to ants infesting your food.
The best way to prevent ants from getting into your food is to keep it in airtight containers. You should also make sure to clean up any crumbs or spills as soon as possible.
Are there any benefits to having ants around?
Ants can actually be beneficial to have around. Some ants, like fire ants, are known to eat other pests, like cockroaches. This can help keep your home pest-free.
Ants also help aerate the soil and fertilize plants in your garden. This can be helpful if you have a garden that you’re trying to grow.
However, ants can also be a nuisance. They can get into your food and contaminate it, and they can also bite or sting you if you’re not careful. If you have ants in your home, it’s important to take steps to get rid of them.
How To Get Rid Of Ants In Walls: Step by Step Instructions
If you have ants in your walls, there are a few things that you can do to get rid of them. First, try to find the ants’ nest and destroy it. This can be difficult, but it’s the best way to get rid of ants.
If you can’t find the ants’ nest, or if you don’t want to destroy it, you can try to bait the ants. This involves setting out food that the ants will take back to their nest. The ants will then eat the bait and hopefully die.
It can also help to know which ant species you’re dealing with. Here are a few ant species and how to get rid of them.
How do I get rid of Sugar Ants in Walls?
The best way to get rid of sugar ants is to use bait. Sugar ants are attracted to sweet foods, so you can use something like honey or sugar as bait.
To bait sugar ants, simply put a small amount of honey or sugar water mixed with borax on a plate and set it out where the ants are. The ants will take the bait back to their nest and hopefully die. To kill the babies, soak a piece of bread or waffle in the borax solutions and leave it out with the liquid solution. Make sure other insects and pests can’t get into the trap.
You can also try using commercial ant bait. These baits are designed to attract ants and kill them. You can find these baits at most hardware stores or online.
How do I get rid of Carpenter Ants in Walls?
Carpenter ants are attracted to wood, so the best way to get rid of them is to destroy their nest. This can be difficult since they live deep inside the wood, but it’s the best way to get rid of carpenter ants.
If you can’t find the ants’ nest, or if you don’t want to destroy your wall, you can try baiting the ants. To bait carpenter ants, simply put a small amount of honey or sugar water mixed with borax and something solid like bread on a plate and set it out near any visible ant trails. The ants will take the bait back to their nest and poison their offspring and queen. Getting rid of the queen is the best way to get rid of ants.
Seal up cracks and holes
Once you’ve gotten rid of the ants, it’s important to seal up any cracks or holes in your walls. This will help prevent ants from getting back into your home.
You can use caulk to seal up small cracks and holes. For larger cracks and holes, you can use expanding foam insulation. These products can be found at your local hardware store.
Get A Pest Control Company To Help You
If you can’t get rid of ants on your own, you may need to hire a pest control company. Pest control companies have the experience and knowledge to get rid of ants quickly and efficiently.
Pest control companies also have access to more powerful pesticides that you may not be able to find on your own. If ants are a persistent problem in your home, a pest control company like H2 Environmental Pest Management may be your best option.
Take action now to get rid of ants in your wall!
FAQs
Can ants ruin walls?
Ants can cause damage to your walls by burrowing into the wood and causing it to rot. Carpenter ants are especially known for this. If you have ants in your walls, it’s important to take steps to get rid of them as soon as possible.
Why do I have ants coming out of my walls?
There are a few reasons why ants might be coming out of your walls. One possibility is that ants have nested in your walls and are now looking for food. Another possibility is that ants are coming into your home through cracks or holes in your walls.
How do I get rid of ants in the walls?
The best way to get rid of ants in the walls is to find their nest and destroy it. This can be difficult, but it’s the most effective way to get rid of ants. If you can’t find the ants’ nest, you can try baiting the ants with food or using a commercial ant bait. Best yet, call a pest control company like H2 Environmental Pest Management to help you.
Final Thoughts
Ants in your wall can be a nuisance. But with the right knowledge, you can get rid of them quickly and efficiently! Be sure to take action now if you have ants in your wall.
If you have any questions or comments about getting rid of ants in your wall, please leave them below! We’d love to hear from
