Warning! This blog contains content that may be graphic to those with a disdain for bugs!
Ants are one of the most common pests in the U.S.—and one of the most underestimated. While most ants are a nuisance, some, like carpenter ants, can cause serious damage to your home. Others can leave painful reminders in the form of a bite of ant.
Understanding how ants operate, what their colonies look like, and what role the queen ant plays can help you stay one step ahead of an infestation.
Most ants don’t bite humans unless provoked, but some can leave painful welts or cause allergic reactions.
Carpenter ants can bite but rarely do
Fire ants bite and then sting, injecting venom that causes intense itching
Ant bites can cause swelling, redness, and itching
In rare cases, severe reactions may require medical attention
Most ant bites cause mild irritation—redness, itching, or swelling. However, some species like fire ants can cause painful stings and even severe allergic reactions. Reactions may include:
Hives
Difficulty breathing
Dizziness or nausea
If someone is highly allergic or gets multiple bites, seek medical attention immediately.
There are over 12,000 species of ants worldwide, but only a few are common household invaders.
Carpenter Ants – Large, black ants that burrow through wood, weakening your structure
Odorous House Ants – Small brown/black ants that emit a foul smell when crushed
Pavement Ants – Typically nest under sidewalks and foundations
Fire Ants – Known for their painful ant bites and aggressive swarming behavior
Every ant colony revolves around a queen ant, whose sole job is to reproduce and expand the colony. Worker ants feed the queen, care for the young, and build the nest. Colonies can include thousands to millions of ants depending on the species.
Killing visible ants won’t eliminate the colony—you must target the queen and the hidden nest.
Ants typically enter your space looking for food, water, and shelter. Common attractants include:
Crumbs, spills, and pet food
Moisture from sinks, leaky pipes, or houseplants
Accessible entry points like cracks, vents, or poorly sealed windows
Understanding how ants grow helps explain why infestations spread so fast. A typical ant colony lifecycle includes:
Eggs laid by the queen
Larvae fed by worker ants
Pupae, which transition into adults
Mature ants (workers, soldiers, and reproductives)
Colonies can live for years and expand to multiple nesting sites if left untreated.
Want to stop ants from invading?
Check out our guide on How to Get Rid of Ants in House and Prevent Return
Call Cal King Pest Control at (530) 673-6322
CalKingPestControl.com
An ant bite usually appears as a small red bump. Fire ant bites may form white pustules or blisters and can be very painful.
No, most common ants don’t bite or sting. But carpenter ants can bite if threatened, and fire ants both bite and sting.
Ants bite mainly in defense. They may bite if their colony is disturbed or if they feel trapped on your skin.
Most are harmless, but multiple bites or an allergic reaction (especially to fire ants) can be serious and require medical care.
