Ant Control in Houston, TX
Comprehensive Ant Control in Houston
The Most Common Ants in Houston
Why You Need to Treat Them Quickly
If you live anywhere in Greater Houston, chances are you’ve met your fair share of ants — probably in your kitchen, your bathroom, your backyard, or marching single-file across your countertop like they pay rent. Spoiler alert: they don’t.
Houston’s humid subtropical climate is basically an all-inclusive resort for ants, and more than a dozen species call our area home. But a few species cause most of the headaches for homeowners. Below are the major ant culprits, what makes them a problem, and why timely treatment matters.
The 6 Major Culprits
Argentine Ants
Houston’s #1 home invader (and the drama queens of the ant world).
Why You See Them
Argentine ants LOVE moisture, so Houston’s humidity is their playground. They form massive “supercolonies” with multiple queens — meaning if you kill part of the colony, the rest keep thriving like nothing happened.
The Problem
Invade homes in huge numbers — thousands at a time.
Contaminate food and surfaces.
Displace native ant species (including beneficial ones).
Protect aphids, which damage gardens and landscaping.
Fun (or horrifying) stat
Argentine ant colonies can contain hundreds of queens, making them almost impossible to eliminate without professional treatment.
Fire Ants
The unofficial state insect of Texas Pain & Suffering.
Why You See Them
Imported red fire ants thrive in warm soil and build those familiar dome-shaped mounds in yards, parks, fields, and even electrical boxes.
The Problem
Stings burn, itch, and can cause severe allergic reactions.
Destroy lawns with their mounds.
Damage AC units, electrical wiring, and traffic signal boxes.
Prey on wildlife — including baby birds and reptiles.
Fun (or horrifying) stat
Fire ants cost Texans an estimated $1.2 billion annually in damage and control efforts.
Carpenter Ants
The “silent destroyers” you never see until the damage is done.
Why You See Them
Carpenter ants love moist, decaying wood. If your home has a roof leak, old framing, or water-damaged siding — congratulations, you’ve created an Airbnb for ants.
The Problem
Tunnel through wood to build nests (weakening structures).
Weaken structural wood over time.
Presence often indicates a hidden moisture issue.
Fun (or horrifying) stat
A single carpenter ant colony can contain 10,000+ workers, and satellite colonies may exist in multiple parts of a home.
Crazy Ants
The ones that run around like they just had six iced coffees.
Why You See Them
Tawny crazy ants have exploded across Houston. They move erratically, don’t follow trails, and can form colonies numbering in the tens of millions.
The Problem
Invade electronics and cause short circuits.
Overwhelm native species, including fire ants.
Take over homes and buildings in literal “ant waves.”
Nearly impossible to eliminate without professional-grade products.
Fun (or horrifying) stat
Their population density can reach 20× higher than other invasive ant species.
Odorous House Ants
Smells like rotten coconut (yes, really).
Why You See Them
These ants prefer sweets and moisture. In Houston, that means kitchens, bathrooms, and pretty much any room where humidity gets trapped.
The Problem
Release a foul coconut-like smell when crushed.
Create multiple nests in walls or under floors.
Contaminate food sources.
Colonies grow quickly and spread across entire homes.
Fun (or horrifying) stat
A single odorous house ant colony can contain multiple queens and grow to tens of thousands of ants — which is why infestations seem to “bounce back” after DIY sprays.
Pharaoh Ants
Tiny but mighty — and medically significant.
Why You See Them
They’re drawn to warmth and love wall voids, light switch plates, electrical outlets, and baseboards.
The Problem
Tunnel through wood to build nests (weakening structures).
Weaken structural wood over time.
Presence often indicates a hidden moisture issue.
Fun (or horrifying) stat
Because they are so small (2mm), they can enter packaged food without opening the package visible to the naked eye.
Why Treating Ants Quickly is Critical
Beyond being a nuisance, a delay in treatment can turn a minor sighting into a major financial and health headache.
Property Damage
Carpenter ants → weaken wood structures.
Crazy ants → fry electrical components.
Fire ants → damage HVAC units and electrical systems.
Health and Safety Risks
Fire ant stings can hospitalize sensitive individuals.
Pharaoh ants spread bacteria (Strep, Staph, Salmonella).
Some species trigger allergies through bites or airborne debris.
Rapid Colonization
Argentine ants → form supercolonies.
Crazy ants → populations in the tens of millions.
Pharaoh ants → split colonies when treated incorrectly.
Waiting even a few weeks can turn a minor issue into a full infestation.
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