Velvety Tree Ants

Velvety tree ants invade and nest in pieces of wood, and are often confused with carpenter ants. These ants have a head that is brownish-black, a thorax that is yellowish-red, and an abdomen that is black. Their abdomen is covered is fine, velvety hairs, which is how they received their descriptive name. These ants may also be identified by the unpleasant odor they create when crushed (which is why these ants are also confused with odorous house ants).

Why do I have a problem with velvety tree ants?

Ants are attracted to properties that offer them nesting sites close to food sources and the velvety tree ant is no exception. Things like open garbage cans, pet food, and gardens attract velvety tree ants to a property. Once they have discovered suitable food sources, they may decide to stay and nest. As they move around your property, it is common for them to enter inside while searching for food and sheltered nesting sites.

Where do velvety tree ants nest?

Velvety tree ants prefer to make their outdoor nesting inside tree crooks and in tree hollows. Also, they will nest in fallen trees, tree stumps, and logs. Velvety tree ants do not feed on the wood they are nesting in.

Often velvety tree ants decide to nest indoors after finding their way inside while out foraging for food. These ants have high moisture needs and so place their nests in areas of a home that are damp. Their favorite indoor nesting spot is in wall voids near leaky pipes.

Are velvety tree ants dangerous?

Velvety tree ants are considered dangerous ants. They are aggressive and will bite any person or animal they view as a threat. Their bite is made even more painful because they spray secretions into the wound. In conjunction with their aggressive nature, velvety tree ants, like other species of ants, will cause food contamination and contaminate surfaces with bacteria they carry on their body. Velvety tree ants should never live in homes for any period of time.

How do I get rid of velvety tree ants?

Accurate identification of the ant and location of the nest(s) is essential if you want to get rid of a velvety tree ant colony for good. At Prosite, we offer comprehensive pest control services that include a comprehensive inspection. When you contact us, we’ll conduct a thorough inspection of the property to identify the type of ant and how bad an infestation you have. We’ll also locate entry points and determine which conditions in or around your structure are attracting them. Upon completion of our inspection, we’ll discuss our findings and recommend a treatment plan to get rid of the velvety tree ants.

If you’re interested in learning more about our velvety tree ant control services, please contact Prosite today.

How do I prevent problems with velvety tree ants?

At Prosite, we cannot emphasize the importance of sanitation and highly encourage property owners to clean often and thoroughly in order to keep ants out! We also recommend implementing the following prevention tips for velvety tree ants and other ant species:

• Inspect the foundation, sealing any openings discovered.
• Place weather stripping around windows and doors.
• Install door sweeps on exterior doors.
• Remove tree stumps, fallen trees, and unneeded woodpiles from your property.
• Fix leaky pipes and fixtures.
• Use dehumidifiers to reduce moisture levels in your home.
• Make sure all outdoor trash cans and compost bins have locking lids on them.
• Place all trash in sealed containers until it is trash pick-up day.
• Keep kitchen and pantry areas free of crumbs and clean up spills immediately.
• Store food in refrigerators not on counters or tables.
• Pick up pet food that hasn't been eaten.