Ants might seem like minor nuisances, but when they invade your home or property, they can quickly become a serious issue. In Middle Tennessee, several species are active, including odorous house ants, pavement ants, and the more destructive carpenter ants.

Active Seasons
Ants in this region are most active from spring through fall, with peak activity in late spring and summer. However, if they find food and warmth indoors, they may stay active year-round.

Lifespan
Worker ants typically live several weeks to a few months, while queen ants can live several years, continuing to reproduce the entire time.

Reproduction Rate
Colonies can contain thousands to hundreds of thousands of ants. Queens can lay hundreds of eggs per day, depending on the species and age of the colony.

How to Identify

• Odorous house ants: Small (1/8”), brown or black, give off a rotten coconut smell when crushed.
• Pavement ants: Dark brown to black, about 1/8”, commonly seen on sidewalks, driveways, and patios.
• Carpenter ants: Larger (up to 1/2”), black or red and black. Often mistaken for termites but with defined waists and bent antennae.

Look for ant trails, small piles of soil or debris (especially indoors), or winged ants during swarm season.

Health Concerns
While ants in Middle Tennessee don’t typically spread disease the way some pests do, they can contaminate food and attract other pests. Some species, like fire ants (more common in southern parts of the region), can also bite or sting.

Property Concerns
Carpenter ants are particularly destructive. They tunnel through wood to build nests, compromising the structural integrity of walls, decks, and even roofing. Food contamination is a concern with odorous house ants and pavement ants, especially in kitchens or pantries.

Why You Need Perimeter Pest
Ants are persistent and often come back even after DIY treatments. At Perimeter Pest, we don’t just kill what you see — we eliminate the colony at its source and prevent them from returning with proactive barrier treatments.

Our local knowledge means we understand which species are most common in Nashville and surrounding areas — and how to treat them effectively.

Protect your home with Middle Tennessee’s local pest control pros. Let Perimeter Pest stop the ants before they take over.