The Most Common Pest in Kentucky
Pest Expert Michael Sizemore, President
7/8/2025
When folks in Kentucky think about pest issues, they might envision termites munching away at their floorboards or swatting at mosquitoes during summer cookouts. However, when considering the sheer numbers, frequency of homeowner complaints, and the persistence of these pests throughout the year, ants take the lead as the most common pests in Kentucky.
These tiny but relentless creatures are a problem that doesn’t simply disappear with the changing seasons. Particularly in the spring and summer, when their colonies are at their busiest, ants can invade homes and businesses in large numbers.
In this blog, we will explore what makes ants such a dominant presence in Kentucky and why they can be such tough little foes to tackle.
Kentucky’s Climate Is Perfect for Ants
Ants really flourish in warm, moderate temperatures, especially when they have steady access to moisture and food. In Kentucky, the humid climate, characterized by hot summers, rainy springs, mild autumns, and increasingly warm winters, provides ideal conditions for various ant species. They find plenty of opportunities to nest, search for food, and reproduce.
Even during winter, when we might hope to see fewer bugs, many ants still seek shelter indoors to avoid the cold. They establish satellite colonies in cozy spots like wall voids, crawl spaces, and underneath flooring. It’s interesting how adaptable these tiny creatures are!
Several Species Thrive in the State
Unlike areas where one or two species dominate, Kentucky is home to a diverse range of ant species, each with its own behavior, habitat, and control challenges. The most common include:
- Odorous House Ants (Tapinoma sessile)
Known for the rotten coconut smell they emit when crushed, these ants are tiny but relentless. They’re a leading cause of ant complaints in Kentucky homes. - Pavement Ants (Tetramorium caespitum)
Found along sidewalks, driveways, and foundations. They enter homes looking for sweets and grease. - Carpenter Ants (Camponotus spp.)
These large black ants can cause structural damage by tunneling through wood to create nests. They drop their frass through tiny cracks and crevices directly into your living space. While they do damage wood, they do not consume it like termites do. Instead, they excavate wood that is already damaged. - Field Ants (Formica spp.)
Often mistaken for carpenter ants, they nest in lawns and occasionally wander indoors. - Acrobat Ants (Crematogaster spp.)
These ants raise their heart-shaped abdomens when disturbed. They often nest in moisture-damaged wood or behind insulation. - *As a side note, fire ants are now being found in eastern Kentucky. Be on the lookout and be safe. If you spot fire ants, call Four Seasons Pest Solutions right away!
Each of these species presents its own unique challenges, and many homeowners are unaware that they may be dealing with more than one species at the same time. Identifying ants is difficult for the untrained individual. There are so many species, and they are often quite small; quite honestly, they look the same to most people. Ants are divided into several categories for identification. One such division groups them by the number of petiole nodes. Such information may be helpful to homeowners who want to learn more about the ants in their home.
Several ant species have reproductive swarmers that emerge during the spring and summer. These reproductive have wings and can fly. Often, they are confused with termites and spark fear in homeowners when they emerge indoors. Understanding the difference between flying ants and flying termites is crucial for proper identification and treatment.
Ant Colonies Are Hard to Eliminate
A single colony can contain thousands or even hundreds of thousands of ants. Some, like odorous house ants and carpenter ants, create multiple satellite colonies. Within these colonies, all life stages are present as they progress through metamorphosis. That means when you spray or wipe away a trail, you’re only killing foragers, not solving the root problem, and the ants are ready with reinforcements right away! This is one reason why professional ant control is often necessary.
Additionally, if a colony feels threatened, it may split into multiple new colonies in a behavior known as “budding.” This is especially true with odorous house ants, which is why improperly applied over-the-counter sprays often make the problem worse.
Food and Water Attract Them Indoors
Ants are drawn to:
- Sugars (honey, soda, fruit juices)
- Proteins and fats (meat scraps, pet food, grease)
- Water (leaky sinks, standing water, damp bathrooms)
In Kentucky homes, it’s common to find ant trails in kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, or other areas where water and crumbs are accessible. Once ants find a reliable food or water source, they lay down pheromone trails, attracting more and more of their colony members. Removing their food sources is crucial for proper control.
DIY Ant Control Is Tricky
Many Kentucky homeowners try to tackle any ant problems with over-the-counter sprays and old-world remedies. Unfortunately, these mostly offer temporary relief and can even cause colony budding. Since many ant colonies have multiple queens and can survive with just a small fraction of their workers, surface-level treatments often fail to eliminate the entire nest.
That’s why professional pest by Four Seasons Pest Solutions is often the best solution, especially for recurring or hard-to-identify infestations. Our certified service specialists can:
- Correctly identify the ant species
- Locate and target the nest
- Use baits, growth regulators, or dusts tailored to each species
Ant Problems Are Getting Worse
Due to urban sprawl, warming temperatures, and changes in landscaping and building materials, ant infestations have been on the rise across Kentucky. More ants are adapting to life indoors, and colonies are surviving deeper into the year than ever before.
“Ants are now one of the top service calls pest control professionals receive in Kentucky year-round, not just seasonally.”
— University of Kentucky Entomology Department
Prevention Tips for Kentucky Homeowners
Here’s how to make your home less attractive to ants:
- Keep kitchen surfaces clean and free of crumbs
- Store food in airtight containers
- Fix leaky faucets and plumbing
- Seal cracks around windows, doors, and foundations
- Remove yard debris, mulch, or stacked firewood near the home’s foundation
Food For Thought
Ants aren’t just annoying, they’re persistent, sneaky, and intelligent. With multiple species thriving in the Commonwealth, climate, and homes offering easy food and water access, it’s no surprise that ants are the most common pest in Kentucky.
For homeowners dealing with repeated ant invasions, it’s often not a DIY fix. Working with a licensed pest professional like Four Seasons Pest Solutions can help eliminate colonies at the source and provide a long-term prevention plan. We’re here when you need us, and we can make your ant problem disappear. No, it’s not magic… It’s science!
And remember, it’s okay to live among pests… but you don’t have to live with them!
