A line of ants across a Brooklyn countertop in June is practically a seasonal tradition. New York has several ant species, and they behave quite differently, so the right fix begins with figuring out which one you have. Some are harmless nuisances; one can slowly weaken structural wood.
The ants you are most likely to meet
Pavement ants are the classic city ant. They nest under sidewalks, stoops and slab edges, and send workers into kitchens through cracks. Odorous house ants, which give off a rotten-coconut smell when crushed, favor wall voids and are drawn to sweets. Pharaoh ants, tiny and yellowish, thrive in heated apartment buildings and are tricky because colonies split when sprayed. Carpenter ants excavate damp or decayed wood and are seen in older homes, brownstones with leaky window headers, and Staten Island and Queens houses with tree cover.
Reading the clues
- Trails along baseboards, pipes or window sills point to foraging workers and a nearby nest.
- Tiny piles of dirt-like grit at sidewalk cracks usually mean pavement ants.
- Coarse sawdust-like shavings under a window or in a basement signal carpenter ants.
- Large black ants with wings in spring indicate a mature colony nearby.
- Persistent small ants in a bathroom or kitchen of a multi-unit building may be pharaoh ants.
What a provider typically does
Identification comes first. A technician follows trails, checks moisture-damaged wood, and inspects the exterior around stoops, planters, and tree limbs touching the building. Sweet-feeding ants are usually treated with slow-acting baits that workers carry back to the colony; spraying alone tends to split colonies and make them worse. Carpenter ant work focuses on finding and treating the nest, which may mean opening a wall void or treating a damp window frame, and then correcting the moisture source.
In shared buildings, pharaoh ant control often requires coordinating several apartments, since the colonies can span multiple units.
Reducing ant pressure at home
- Wipe up sweet spills and keep honey, syrup and fruit sealed or refrigerated.
- Rinse recycling containers before they go in the bin.
- Seal cracks at window frames and where utilities enter.
- Repair leaks around bathrooms, air conditioner sleeves and roof flashing.
- Cut back branches or shrubs touching walls and roofs.
- Avoid wet mulch heaped against the foundation.
Calling for help
Ants in New York apartments and houses can be stubborn. If ants return after cleaning, or you spot sawdust-like frass, it is time to bring in a professional. PestMinistry is a referral service, not a pest control company. Call (844) 725-1661 and we will connect you with an independent licensed provider in our network who handles ant control in New York and can identify the species before choosing a method.
Ant questions from New York homeowners and renters
Why do ants appear in spring and summer?
Warm weather boosts foraging and colony growth, and rain pushes outdoor nests toward buildings. Indoor ants may also remain active year round in heated buildings.
Are carpenter ants the same as termites?
No. Carpenter ants hollow out wood for nesting rather than eating it, and they have a narrow waist and elbowed antennae. Termites have a thick waist and straight antennae.
Will spraying the trail get rid of them?
It kills visible workers but usually leaves the nest, and can encourage some species to relocate. Baits and nest treatment work better.
Can ants damage a brownstone?
Carpenter ants can if wood stays damp over time. Fixing leaks and having the nest treated limits further damage.