As Pacific Northwesterners, we enjoy the outdoors and often bring that love of nature into our homes—sometimes unintentionally! When tiny ants appear along your countertops or marching through your yard, it’s natural to wonder if they pose a risk. While most small ants are more interested in your pantry than in you, it’s worth understanding whether they can bite or cause harm.
In this blog, we’ll explore some of the small ant species commonly found in Corvallis, Eugene, Salem, and the surrounding western Oregon areas and see if there’s any need for concern.
Key Takeaways:
- Most small ants found in local homes are primarily nuisance pests rather than biting threats.
- Some species can hint at underlying issues, like moisture problems or structural weaknesses.
- Knowing what type of ant you’re dealing with helps you address the problem effectively.
- While a few ants can bite, the resulting discomfort is usually minor and uncommon.
An unexpected odorous house ant colony found nesting beneath the hot tub corner.
Odorous House Ants
Being the most common nuisance ant that we have here in Oregon, this is most likely what you are dealing with when you have small ants showing up inside your home. Find out more about the OHA here!
What They Look Like: Small, brown to black ants, known for the distinct, rotten-coconut-like smell they release when crushed.
Habits: Odorous house ants are drawn indoors by sweet or greasy foods. They’re frequently found forming trails along walls and countertops.
Do They Bite? Technically they can, but it’s unlikely to bother you. When threatened, this little animal may try to use it’s mouthparts to defend itself. However, it’s very likely that you won’t even notice or feel it at all. These ants rely on avoidance, not aggression. While annoying, they pose no real risk to humans.
A colony of pavement ants making their way out of a hidden area next to a sidewalk.
Pavement Ants
You know those little piles of sand you see in sidewalk cracks or coming up from pavers in your patio? It’s these little guys.
What They Look Like: Dark brown to black ants that often nest in cracks around sidewalks, driveways, and patios. They are slightly larger than Odorous House Ants with a bigger head relative to their body size.
Habits: Pavement ants invade homes searching for food, often trailing along floors and baseboards.
Do They Bite? They can bite and have small stingers, but rarely use them on humans. If disturbed, they may seem aggressive, but their size limits any real harm. Any bite is typically mild and not a serious concern.
False Honey Ants
Not nearly as common compared to the Pavement or Odorous House Ants, but these little creatures will show up inside homes occasionally.
What They Look Like: Small ants commonly seen in spring and fall, often attracted to sweet substances.
Habits: Frequently found indoors around sugary foods, they forage rather than defend territory aggressively.
Do They Bite? No. False honey ants are gentle and focus on finding food sources rather than confronting humans.
A swarm of moisture ants surfacing from beneath a baseboard, indicating hidden moisture issues.
Moisture Ants
If you see these guys, there could be a problem!
What They Look Like: Small, often yellowish to brown ants that thrive in damp or water-damaged wood.
Habits: Moisture ants are drawn to areas with leaks, high humidity, or rotting wood. Their presence can signal underlying moisture issues in your home.
Do They Bite? No. They avoid human interaction and pose no biting threat. However, their presence suggests you may need to address moisture or wood-rot problems in your structure.
A Note on Velvety Tree Ants
While not as small as the ants listed above, velvety tree ants deserve mention. Found in tree-rich areas, they may occasionally enter homes near wooded landscapes.
Do They Bite? Yes, if disturbed or threatened. Their bites are typically mild and rare, usually only occurring when they feel the need to defend their colony. Most homeowners won’t encounter them unless an infestation is present in or near the home. Read up on Velvety Tree Ants Here!
What if you get bitten by one of these ants?
Generally speaking, if you get bitten by one of the ants above, you will be fine as long is there isn’t an allergic response or extended circumstances. Remember, I am not a doctor (yet) but if you experience an ant bite or sting, it’s generally best to clean the area gently with mild soap and warm water, then pat it dry. Applying a cool compress can help reduce swelling and discomfort. Over-the-counter anti-itch creams or antihistamines may offer some relief, but be sure to follow the product directions.
Keep an eye on the bite for signs of infection like increased redness, swelling, or unusual discharge, and if any concerning symptoms arise, seek medical attention. Please remember, this is general information from a bug guy and not a substitute for professional medical advice!
Conclusion
In most cases, the tiny ants you spot around your home and yard are more interested in your crumbs than in you. Odorous house ants, pavement ants, false honey ants, and moisture ants are unlikely to bite, and at worst, cause mild annoyance. Even velvety tree ants, which can bite, rarely pose more than a mild inconvenience unless their colony is disturbed.
The key takeaway? Don’t panic if you see small ants—it’s far more common that they’re harmless houseguests rather than hostile invaders. However, if ants become a persistent problem or you suspect a moisture or structural issue, it may be time to seek professional advice. By understanding which ants are around you and addressing the factors that attract them, you can maintain a more comfortable, pest-free home. If you happen to be a client of ours, most of these ants are covered by both our Standard Insect and Premier Insect plus Rodent Service Programs.
If you ever have trouble figuring out which ant you’re dealing with, give us call. We are always willing to come help when needed!
Bite free is the way to be.
~ Adam Hiddleson
