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Know thy enemy

If you want to know how to get rid of ants, it’s helpful to know what type of ant it is. Why? Different ants require different approaches. “There are about 1,000 species of ants in North America,” says Jody Green, PhD, an urban entomologist at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Luckily, there are only about eight to ten usual suspects in a given area. And, as Green explains, “knowing the ant helps with determining what its favorite foods are and where it is likely to nest.” For example, odorous ants are attracted to sugar, while protein ants are drawn to meat and grease.

And then there are carpenter ants. These ants aren’t looking for spilled maple syrup. They’re looking for wet, soft, damaged wood to hollow out and make their colonies. “Signs of a carpenter-ant problem might include sawdust-like piles on the floor near or under damaged wood, or seeing winged reproductives that resemble wasps,” says Eric Sebring, an associate certified entomologist with Western Exterminator. While you can deal with many ant species on your own, you’ll likely need an exterminator to get rid of these industrious ants, which can cause serious (and costly) damage to your home. But before you do, make sure you know these 15 insider secrets that your exterminator might not tell you.