Top 7 Surprising Ant Facts and 5 Control Methods

Ants may be small, but they’re a huge problem when it comes to pest control in homes and businesses. These tiny invaders are far more sophisticated, persistent, and disruptive than most people realize. Whether you're dealing with a minor ant infestation or trying to prevent a full-blown invasion, understanding how ants operate is essential. Here are seven surprising facts about ants that reveal just how powerful – and problematic – these pests can be.

1. Ants Are the Most Common Household Pest in America

When most people think of pest problems, they imagine mice, cockroaches, or spiders. But in reality, ants are the number one pest issue across the United States. Their small size allows them to enter through the tiniest cracks, and once they find a food source, they’ll alert the whole colony to follow.

This is especially problematic in kitchens, pantries, or breakrooms in commercial settings. Effective ant control must focus on prevention and sealing off access points before an infestation escalates.

2. You Only See a Fraction of the Colony

Think that little trail of ants in your kitchen is the whole problem? Think again. Only 3% to 10% of an ant colony is ever visible outside the nest. That means for every 10 ants you see, there could be hundreds or thousands hidden behind walls, under floors, or in the soil around your building.

This hidden population is one of the reasons why DIY pest control often fails to resolve the issue long-term. The queen and main workforce are often safely tucked away, reproducing and expanding the colony even after surface-level treatment.

3. Ants Are Incredibly Strong and Coordinated

Ants are famous for their strength—some species can lift objects up to 50 times their own body weight. But their real power lies in how they work together. Colonies operate as a single unit, using pheromone trails to communicate, coordinate attacks on food sources, and protect their territory.

Understanding this teamwork is crucial in ant prevention. Removing food sources, cleaning up spills, and sealing entry points interrupts their communication, making your space less inviting to scouts and foragers.

4. They’ve Been Around for Over 100 Million Years

Ants aren’t just survivors—they’re evolutionary champions. Having existed for more than 100 million years, they’ve adapted to every continent except Antarctica. This longevity is due in part to their ability to adjust their behavior and nesting habits, allowing them to thrive in deserts, rainforests, and urban neighborhoods alike.

This adaptability also means that ants have developed resistance to many common pesticides. Professional pest control services often rotate treatments or use targeted baits to stay ahead of their evolving tactics.

5. Not All Ants Are Created Equal

There are over 700 ant species in the United States, but only about 40 are considered common indoor invaders. These include odorous house ants, carpenter ants, fire ants, and pharaoh ants. Each species behaves differently, nests in different locations, and responds to different treatment strategies.

For instance, carpenter ants don’t just invade your home—they burrow into wood, potentially causing structural damage. Meanwhile, pharaoh ants spread rapidly in hospitals and commercial kitchens and can contaminate food and surfaces.

Knowing the species is essential for targeted ant extermination. A misidentified ant could result in wasted treatments and a stronger, more entrenched colony.

6. Queen Ants Can Live for Over a Decade

A typical worker ant might live a few weeks or months, but queen ants can live up to 15 years. During that time, they can produce hundreds of thousands of eggs, fueling massive colony growth.

This makes targeting the queen ant the number-one priority in effective pest control. Baits and slow-acting insecticides are often more effective than sprays, as they are carried back to the nest and reach the queen directly.

Without eliminating the queen, any ant removal strategy is just a short-term fix.

7. Ant Colonies Are Highly Organized Societies

Far from being chaotic swarms, ant colonies function like complex cities. There are defined roles—workers, soldiers, drones, and queens—and they rely on intricate chemical signaling to maintain order. If a food source appears, scouts relay the information using pheromones. If the colony is threatened, soldiers mobilize instantly.

This organization makes ants harder to outsmart. If you kill off part of a trail, the rest simply reroute. If a colony is attacked, it may split and form satellite nests, especially in species like Argentine ants.

This is why integrated pest management (IPM) is critical. A multi-step, strategic approach is far more effective than one-time treatments or sprays.

5 Effective Methods to Prevent and Control Ants

Ant infestations often start small and escalate quickly. The key to success is not just reacting after ants appear, but implementing consistent, proactive control methods that address the root of the problem. Here are five proven strategies for preventing and controlling ants in both residential and commercial spaces:

1. Use Ant Bait, Not Just Spray

Spraying ants with insecticide may provide instant gratification, but it rarely solves the problem. Most sprays only kill the visible ants—typically the foragers—while leaving the rest of the colony, especially the queen, untouched.

Ant baits work by attracting ants to a food source laced with slow-acting poison. The ants carry the bait back to the colony and distribute it, eventually eliminating the queen and collapsing the entire nest. Baits are available in gel, station, and granule form, depending on where you're applying them.

2. Seal Off Entry Points

Ants can enter your home through incredibly small openings. To block access:

• Inspect and seal cracks around windows and doors

• Fill gaps near plumbing and electrical wiring

• Apply weather stripping to door bottoms and window sills

For long-term protection, consider using silicone-based sealants, which are less likely to degrade over time.

3. Maintain a Spotless Kitchen

A clean environment is one of your best defenses. Ants are drawn to crumbs, sugar, grease, and moisture, so focus on:

• Wiping down counters and dining areas daily

• Cleaning under appliances regularly

• Storing all food (including pet food) in airtight containers

• Taking out the trash before it overflows

Even a few drops of juice or syrup can attract an entire trail of ants in a matter of hours.

4. Eliminate Outdoor Nesting Sites

Many ant problems start outdoors and migrate inside. Reduce outdoor attractants by:

• Trimming bushes and trees that touch your home’s exterior

• Removing leaf piles, mulch buildup, and wood debris

• Keeping firewood stored off the ground and away from structures

If you notice ants nesting near foundations or patios, treat the area with non-repellent insecticides or hire a professional to apply barrier treatments.

5. Partner with a Pest Control Expert

Some ant species—especially pharaoh ants, Argentine ants, and carpenter ants—are incredibly difficult to eliminate without professional help. Pest control professionals can:

• Correctly identify the ant species

• Use integrated pest management (IPM) techniques

• Apply treatments in hard-to-reach or regulated areas

• Monitor ant activity over time

Regular service ensures that infestations are addressed before they grow, especially in commercial settings where ant sightings can harm your brand or violate health codes.

The Takeaway: Prevention is Better Than Reaction

Ants are not just a nuisance—they’re highly evolved, strategic invaders. And once they establish a foothold in your home or business, they’re difficult to eliminate without professional help. The good news? With the right knowledge and preventive measures, you can reduce your risk of ant infestation significantly.

Simple steps like sealing cracks, storing food in airtight containers, trimming vegetation away from buildings, and keeping your space clean can go a long way. But for serious problems, partner with a pest control expert who understands ant behavior and can tailor a solution to your environment.

Most Asked Questions About Ants

1. What attracts ants into my home?
Ants are drawn to food crumbs, sugary spills, and accessible water sources.

2. How do I permanently get rid of ants in my house?
Use ant baits that target the colony, seal entry points, and maintain cleanliness. For persistent infestations, contact a pest control professional.

3. Are ants dangerous?
Some ants, like fire ants or carpenter ants, can bite, sting, or cause property damage. Most are more of a nuisance than a health threat.

4. What’s the best natural remedy for ants?
Vinegar, cinnamon, and diatomaceous earth are common natural deterrents. However, they may not address the full colony.

5. How do ants communicate?
Ants use pheromones (chemical trails) to communicate about food, danger, and colony movement.