Household ants

Ants are some of the most common household pests in Texas. Most ant species that invade homes nest outdoors. A few may nest in walls or interior areas of homes. Knowing what species of ant you are dealing with is an important first step in eliminating unwanted ants from your home.

General household ants

  • The Texas two-step method for fire ant control (L-5070)
    One of the most popular factsheets in the Extension library.  Fire ant control made simple.
  • Managing household ant pests (B-6183)
    This publication will help you understand and manage the different pest ant species common to Texas homes.
  • Identifying household ants (ENT-2013)
    NEW!  The first step in knowing how to get rid of an ant problem is knowing what kind of ant you have. You won’t need a microscope or specialized skills to identify the most common household ants with this F@ctsheet.
  • Swarming insects indoors
    Something’s flying around indoors, but you’re not sure what it is?  It could be an ant.
  • Carpenter ants around homes (ENT-2001)
    This updated F@ctsheet clears up some of the misunderstanding about carpenter ants in Texas, and suggests practical steps to deal with a carpenter ant problem.
  • Carpenter ants (E-412)
    This publication explains how to identify carpenter ants, recognize their nest site preferences, and take proper preventive and control measures. (4 pp., 1 photo, 1 figure)
  • Dark rover ants (eXtension website)
    Smaller than most indoor ants, rover ants are dark brown in color.  They are one of the more difficult to control indoor ant pests.
  • Pharaoh ants (eXtension website)
    Together with rover ants, pharaoh ants are among the tiniest indoor ants. Light colored, with a dark tail (gaster), Pharaoh ants require special baits for best control.

Crazy ants

Historically, crazy ants have not been considered an especially important group of ants.  This changed recently in Texas with the discovery of an exotic species being called the Caribbean or the Rasberry crazy ant.  This species of ant has proven to be an extreme pest in parts of about a dozen counties in the Houston, Texas area.  Unless you live in one of these infested counties it is unlikely you have this ant.  Heavy outdoor ant populations can occur with other ant species, such as Argentine and pyramid ants.  So don’t jump to conclusions if you think you’ve been invaded by ants from Mars!

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