There is a wide variety of ants throughout the world, but even in individual cities, you can find ant diversity. In Tulsa, you will find many species of ants that vary in size, shape, and impact on their surroundings. Some kinds of ants can cause significant damage to homes and businesses.
These costs can add up to hundreds of thousands of dollars out of pocket. Yet other ants are merely obnoxious, annoying people by their presence. So the question becomes, how to tell the difference between which type of ant is frequenting your property. While we will explain the most common ants in Tulsa, we encourage you to learn more about Oklahoma’s ants with our ID guide.
Common Ants in Tulsa, Oklahoma
The first type of ant commonly found in Tulsa is the Odorous House Ant. These ants are relatively small, only reaching an adult size of ⅛ of an inch. Odorous House Ants are black or brown and are most known for omitting a smell that has been described as the scent of rotting coconut.
These ants leave obvious trails to and from where they find food that let the other ants in their colony know that food is nearby and how to get to it. Once these trails begin, more are built, leading to even larger colonies and infestations.
The next type of ant commonly found in Tulsa is the Carpenter Ant. Although this may sound like they are known for building, humans tend to associate them with destruction. In fact, many people regard them as the most destructive ant species. While most Carpenter Ants are black, some can be yellow, red, or even a mixture. In Tulsa, these are the largest ants that someone will see, and even then, they measure only about ½ inch.
Carpenter Ants love to eat sugar and proteins while doing their daily business. The nests of these ants are usually built in wood that has been damaged by water. Colonies of Carpenter Ants can cause massive destruction, particularly structural damage. Occasionally buildings can even collapse from structural damage that has occurred when walls have been weakened.
Finally, Pharaoh Ants can also be found in Tulsa. On average, these ants are particularly tiny, measuring only 1/16 of an inch. Color-wise, Pharaoh Ants are various shades of yellow and orange or a combination of both. The Queen Pharaoh Ant is usually darker than the worker ants. These ants are dangerous to people since they can carry both salmonella and streptococcus. Additionally, there have been reports of Pharaoh Ants entering patient wounds and IV lines in hospitals.
At Emtec Pest Control, we are committed to safe and responsible pest control. We understand that your family’s safety is your number one priority, so we make it our priority, too.
If you have any other questions about any of these pests or pest control for your home or business, contact your Oklahoma pest control experts at Emtec Pest Control by calling us or by filling out our online contact form.