Here is how to identify the type of Las Vegas ant problem you are having.

Argentine Ants - Differentiating from many types of ants because there are 12 segments to their antennae.

Carpenter Ants - They can range from a tenth-of-an-inch to half-an-inch in size, and they often have a yellow, black, or reddish coloration.

Odious House Ants - Typically have a black or brown appearance.

Pavement Ants - Combination of colors and they will be one-third-of-an-inch in size or less.

For more on each ant please scroll to the FAQ section where we cover each Las Vegas ant in more detail.

When you call Fortified Pest, you will get the Integrated Pest Management system that each Fortified Pest Control Technician is fully equipped with. No matter the specific type ant, we use a full set of tools and evaluate each home individually. We try to keep your pets and family safe from toxins by limiting the number of chemicals we use in each home. In order to protect the environment, we try to limit our use of pesticides in order to keep pests from becoming resistant. These are a few of the fundamentals of our company; but we go the extra mile by having each worker insured, bonded, and licensed. To start getting rid of your ant problem today, contact us at (702) 625-5753.

In scientific terms, the Argentine ant is called the Linepithema humile. These bugs are noted as differentiating from many types of ants because there are 12 segments to their antennae. The Argentine ant is exceptionally adaptable, and this means that homeowners can find them almost anywhere indoors or outdoors. A colony may be massive and have over 100 queens. The eggs hatch after a month, and they are adults within ten weeks. This means that a single colony can easily have millions of ants.

Typically, their nests will be found outdoors and soft, moist soil. On occasion, they will make their shallow nests in mulch, under logs, or in other types of hollowed wood. The workers will diligently go out and follow one another to find sweet or savory foods. Unlike other species of ants, Argentine ants tend to be the same size.

Known by their Latin name Camponotus spp, carpenter ants are some of the largest of its species. They can range from a tenth-of-an-inch to half-an-inch in size, and they often have a yellow, black, or reddish coloration. One physical characteristic that sets them apart is that the worker ants have noticeable mandibles. Generally speaking, homeowners will find carpenter ants inside and outside the home. They are attracted to moist and decaying wood. They use the wood to build their nests, and they will cut into softened wood to provide a passageway to a hollow part of the lumber.

One of the common signs that you have carpenter ants is the wood shavings they leave behind. These are often mixed with dead ants. While they may dig through the wood, they do not eat it. Often, they are attracted to other insects or savory and sweet food that is discarded by humans. Unfortunately, the queen may live up to 25 years. Within 6 to 12 weeks, the queen’s eggs hatch. One other noticeable sign that you have a carpenter ant infestation is that you will see the winged carpenter ant worker. The presence of wings can cause them to be confused with termites.

Known by the Latin name Tapinoma sessile, the odorous or odious house ants typically have a black or brown appearance. They get their name because when they are crushed, they release a musty, rotten smell. One other distinguishable characteristic is that they have a thorax that looks uneven when and is viewed from the side. These ants can live inside or outside, and they travel together through their pheromone trails.

While they prefer the outdoors, they will go indoors during rainstorms and cold weather. Although they are attracted to sweet food, they will eat savory food if nothing else is available. They will also eat other insects that have been collecting sugary foods. To reproduce, the colony will need winged males and females to swarm near the nest and promote fertilization. From gestation to adulthood, the cycle takes between four to 10 weeks.

Pavement ants are known by the Latin name Formica spp. Their appearance is a combination of colors, including black, red, or yellow. Typically, they will be one-third-of-an-inch in size or less. As far as their diet and behavior, pavement ants find their foods in lawns, fields, and gardens. This is also where they typically make their nests. Homeowners will find pavement ants are near their rocks, sidewalks, building foundations, fences, and trees. To make their home, they will build a mound out of soil. If a homeowner disturbs their nests, they will bite, but not sting.

In some instances, these ants will make a mound out of twigs, pine needles, or grass. They can also cause property damage by building their nests in the cracks of a foundation wall or sidewalk. Pavement ants are attracted to fruits like honeydew and are also appealed to aphids. When reproducing, you can expect the pavement ants to have workers that help the queen of the colony to produce eggs. They usually do not invade homes.

All four of these ants can survive in Las Vegas, and have become common pests in the Las Vegas Valley. If you're having trouble identifying the type of ant we recommend coming by to evaluate.