COMMON TYPES: Carpenter ants, pavement ants, odorous house ants
APPEARANCE: Small segmented insects with three body parts and antennae
SIZE: Typically 2–12 mm depending on the species
COLOUR: Black, brown, or reddish
NESTING AREAS: Soil, wood, walls, foundations, and outdoor landscaping
ACTIVITY: Most active in warmer months and during food foraging
LIFECYCLE: Egg → larva → pupa → adult ant
REPRODUCTION: Colonies grow over time with queens producing large numbers of ants
PRIMARY RISKS: Food contamination and potential structural damage (carpenter ants)