Ants are among the most common household pests in the United States, and while they may all seem alike at first glance, there are thousands of ant varieties with distinct behaviors, appearances, and risks. Knowing the types of ants that might invade your home or yard is essential for safe and effective pest control.

At Bugaboo Pest Control, we specialize in identifying and treating all different species of ants, from the harmless nuisance varieties to those capable of causing structural damage or delivering painful stings. This guide will walk you through the 10 most common types of ants in the U.S., providing a detailed overview of how they look, how they behave, and why you should care.

Why You Should Know the Different Types of Ants

Correct ant identification is more than just a curiosity—it’s an important step in understanding what kind of pest issue you’re facing. Some ant types require urgent professional intervention due to health or structural risks, while others are more of a seasonal inconvenience. Save time, stress, and money in the long run by recognizing the key features of different kinds of ants, including their:

• Color
• Size
• Nesting habits
• Behaviors

10 Most Common Types of Ants in the United States

Carpenter Ants (Camponotus spp.)

Carpenter ants are among the largest ant species you’ll encounter in the U.S., typically measuring between ¼ and ½ inch long. Their color ranges from black to reddish-black or a combination of the two. Unlike termites, carpenter ants don’t eat wood, but they do burrow into it to create extensive galleries for nesting, often targeting moist or decaying wood inside homes. Over time, this tunneling can weaken structural components like beams and joists, making them a serious risk to buildings. These ants are most active at night and may be heard rustling inside walls. One fascinating fact: they often establish “satellite” colonies indoors while maintaining a main colony outdoors. If you spot large black ants near your home or notice wood shavings without sawdust, it’s time to call Bugaboo Pest Control for a thorough inspection.

Odorous House Ants (Tapinoma sessile)

Odorous house ants are small—about ⅛ inch long—and usually dark brown to black. They get their name from the foul, rotten-coconut-like odor they emit when crushed, which is a key clue in their identification. These ants are often seen foraging in kitchens, drawn to sugary or greasy foods. Unlike other ant varieties, odorous house ants build their nests in a variety of indoor and outdoor locations, from wall voids to under floorboards. While they don’t bite or damage structures, their sheer numbers and persistence make them a nuisance. Colonies can contain thousands of workers and multiple queens, allowing for rapid population growth and spreading across your home. At Bugaboo Pest Control, we often see infestations peak in spring and fall, when weather changes drive ants indoors.

Pavement Ants (Tetramorium immigrans)

As their name suggests, pavement ants commonly nest under sidewalks, driveways, and building foundations, where they push small piles of sand or soil out of cracks. These ants are about ⅛ inch long and vary in color from dark brown to black, with lighter-colored legs. While not aggressive, pavement ants are highly territorial and often engage in dramatic battles with rival colonies—sometimes visibly so on sidewalks. Indoors, they forage for a variety of foods, including sweets, proteins, and greasy items, often contaminating food sources in kitchens or pantries. They may enter homes through cracks in the foundation or gaps around doors and windows. Though they pose no structural threat, their persistent presence and foraging habits make them one of the most common household ants that Bugaboo Pest Control treats.

Fire Ants (Solenopsis invicta)

Fire ants are infamous for their aggressive behavior and painful stings, which feel like a burning sensation and can lead to serious allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. These reddish-brown ants with darker abdomens range in size from ⅛ to ¼ inch and are easily identified by the dome-shaped mounds they construct, typically in sunny areas like lawns and open fields. Fire ants respond rapidly to threats, swarming and stinging en masse when disturbed. Their venom not only causes pain but can also result in pustules and scarring. In addition to being dangerous to humans and pets, fire ants can damage crops, electrical equipment, and even wildlife. At Bugaboo Pest Control, we recommend immediate treatment of fire ant mounds to prevent painful encounters and the spread of their colonies.

Pharaoh Ants (Monomorium pharaonis)

Tiny but tenacious, pharaoh ants measure only 1/16 inch long and are pale yellow to light brown in color. Despite their small size, these ants are a major concern in commercial settings like hospitals, restaurants, and hotels. Pharaoh ants are known for spreading bacteria and disease, thanks to their habit of nesting in unsanitary places and traveling long distances within buildings. Their colonies contain multiple queens, which allows them to “bud” and form new colonies if disturbed, making DIY removal especially risky. Effective pharaoh ant control requires professional-grade solutions and strategic placement of baits, which is why many clients turn to Bugaboo Pest Control for safe and thorough elimination.

Argentine Ants (Linepithema humile)

Argentine ants are dark brown to black and about ⅛ inch long, but what makes them remarkable is their social structure. These ants form massive colonies—sometimes known as “supercolonies”—with multiple queens and millions of workers. Originally from South America, they’ve spread widely across the southern U.S., especially in California, where one colony was found to stretch over 500 miles. Argentine ants are highly invasive and often displace native ant species. Indoors, they’re drawn to sweet foods, water sources, and pet bowls. Their cooperative nature makes them difficult to eliminate without targeted strategies. Bugaboo Pest Control often addresses Argentine ant infestations with baiting systems designed to reach the heart of their large, complex networks.

Ghost Ants (Tapinoma melanocephalum)

Ghost ants are aptly named due to their translucent legs and abdomen, which make them appear almost invisible against light-colored surfaces. Their heads, however, are darker, creating a striking contrast. At just 1/16 inch, they are one of the tiniest ant species, commonly found in warm, humid environments or inside greenhouses and kitchens. These ants are sugar-loving and often nest in wall voids, behind baseboards, or in potted plants. Their small size allows them to exploit even the tiniest cracks and gaps, making them notoriously hard to track and control. At Bugaboo Pest Control, we treat ghost ant invasions with specialized bait placements that account for their scattered nesting habits and hidden colonies.

Thief Ants (Solenopsis molesta)

Thief ants are among the smallest household ants, measuring just 1/32 inch long. Their pale yellow to light brown color often causes them to be mistaken for pharaoh ants. True to their name, thief ants often nest near other ant colonies, sneaking in to steal food and larvae. Indoors, they target high-fat foods and may contaminate stored goods in pantries. Because of their minute size, they can enter packaging that other ants can’t penetrate. They also nest in wall voids, under floors, and behind baseboards, making them difficult to detect without professional help. If you’re dealing with ants you can barely see but can’t seem to get rid of, Bugaboo Pest Control can help identify and eliminate these sneaky intruders.

Acrobat Ants (Crematogaster spp.)

Named for their unique defensive posture, acrobat ants raise their heart-shaped abdomens above their heads when threatened. They range in color from light brown to black and are usually about ⅛ inch long. These ants are commonly found nesting in decaying wood, wall voids, or foam insulation. While they’re not known for causing structural damage, they can bite and are capable of defending their nests aggressively. Indoors, they’re attracted to sweet foods and may establish colonies near moisture sources like leaky pipes. One sign of infestation is the accumulation of debris—like insect parts and insulation—near nesting sites. At Bugaboo Pest Control, we often find acrobat ants in homes with water damage or compromised wood.

Big-Headed Ants (Pheidole spp.)

Big-headed ants are known for their distinct appearance, especially the soldier caste, which features an oversized head relative to its body. These ants vary from reddish-brown to yellowish and measure about ⅛ inch. They typically nest in soil under rocks, logs, or pavement, but can invade homes in search of food. Indoors, they’re drawn to greasy and protein-rich items. One interesting trait is their ability to crack and carry large food items thanks to their strong mandibles. Big-headed ants may also displace native ant species and become invasive in some areas. Their nesting behavior and caste structure require targeted baiting and long-term control strategies, which we provide at Bugaboo Pest Control.

Need Help Identifying or Eliminating Ants?

Whether you’re dealing with ants with pinchers, sugar-seeking foragers, or wood-damaging excavators, knowing the different types of ants is essential for effective pest management. At Bugaboo Pest Control, we bring expertise, advanced tools, and custom solutions to every ant problem—big or small. Reach out today for a professional inspection and tailored treatment plan.