If you’ve found ants crawling along damp windowsills, around your crawl space, or even popping up in your basement, you’re probably dealing with what’s often called a “moisture ant infestation.”
Here in Southern Louisiana, that term is used for several ant species that thrive in damp environments, not just one. They’re drawn to moist areas caused by things like plumbing leaks, poor drainage, or gutters that aren’t working properly.
Let’s walk through how locals identify these ants, what signs to watch for, and how to get rid of moisture ants before they cause bigger problems.
Key Takeaways
• “Moisture ants” is a local term for ants like yellow ants, cornfield ants, and carpenter ants found in damp places.
• These ants usually nest in areas with moisture problems like basements, crawl spaces, plumbing leaks, or water-damaged wood.
• Signs of infestation include citrus odors, ant trails near water lines, visible nests, and piles of sawdust or frass.
• Getting rid of moisture ants means fixing leaks, replacing rotting wood, treating outdoor aphids, and calling pest control services.
Types of Moisture Ants
Here are the ant species most commonly called moisture ants—and why they show up in homes like yours.
Yellow Ants
In Louisiana, Lasius interjectus gets lumped under “moisture ants” because they’re often found during repairs involving rotting wood or hidden moisture problems. These yellowish-brown ants like to nest in decaying wood behind walls or under flooring where it stays damp.
While they don’t chew through wood like termites or carpenter ants, their presence is still a sign of trouble, usually wood decay or a slow leak nearby.
They also give off a lemony odor when crushed and are a clear sign that it’s time to call a pest control professional.
Cornfield Ants
You’ll often see cornfield ants trailing across patios or even entering homes when outdoor conditions get too wet. They’re usually dark brown, smaller than carpenter ants, and not picky about where they set up shop, as long as it’s wet.
That’s why they’re often spotted around basements, garden beds, or near air conditioning units where condensation builds up.
Homeowners here call them “moisture ants” because they seem to appear right after a storm or in spots where rainwater tends to pool.
Carpenter Ants
While carpenter ants aren’t technically “moisture ants,” they’re often included in the mix because they tend to tunnel through water-damaged or decaying wood. They’re big, either black or reddish-black, and leave behind frass, which looks like sawdust.
If you’re finding piles of this near your baseboards or under windows, it could mean these ants have built an ant nest inside your home.
Worse, their tunneling can cause structural damage over time if not addressed.
Signs of a Moisture Ant Infestation
You don’t always see moisture ants right away, but they leave signs.
Here are some of the most common ways they give themselves away around your home:
Presence of Frass or Sawdust
If you notice sawdust-like debris building up in corners or near wood trim, that could be frass from carpenter ants tunneling through water-damaged wood.
It’s not just unsightly. It could be an early warning sign of deeper moisture issues and even hidden termite damage.
Ant Trails Around Plumbing or Crawl Spaces
Ants love your crawl space because it’s often humid and hard to monitor.
When they start trailing along plumbing lines or electrical wiring, especially near basements or under sinks, it’s time to investigate.
A moisture ant colony could be taking advantage of a leaky pipe or a faulty seal.
Nesting Activity in Rotting Wood
Whether it’s behind a shower wall or under your deck, nesting sites in rotting wood are a sure sign of a moisture problem. If you disturb one of these sites, you might see hundreds of ants emerge from what looks like a solid beam.
This kind of ant problem doesn’t go away with a can of spray.
It requires real inspection and repair.
Sweet-Smelling Ant Odors
Some ants give off a citrusy odor when crushed. Others might be trailing in from your garden, where they feed on honeydew secreted by aphids.
If you see ants near windowsills or potted plants, it may be less about your home’s condition and more about what’s growing around it.
How to Treat a Moisture Ant Infestation
Once you know moisture ants have moved in, the real work begins.
Here’s what you need to focus on to make your space less inviting to them and more comfortable for you:
Fix Moisture Problems First
Ants aren’t the real problem—moisture issues are.
Until you fix the source of dampness, whether it’s plumbing leaks, clogged gutters, or poor yard drainage, no amount of ant spray will keep them out.
Sometimes you might even need a contractor to repair structural damage or install better ventilation.
Remove and Replace Water-Damaged Wood
Whether it’s rotting floorboards or moldy baseboards, water-damaged wood creates the ideal environment for ants and other pests like termites.
Replacing these materials not only helps you eliminate moisture ant colonies but also makes it harder for pests to come back.
Clean Up Honeydew Sources
Outdoor ant control starts with your garden. Ants follow aphids around because of the sweet honeydew they excrete. If you’re seeing ants near plants or shrubs, check for aphids and treat those areas too.
A healthy landscape helps keep your house pest-free.
Call a Pest Control Professional
You can’t always handle this kind of problem alone.
At LaJaunie’s Pest Control, we know how to trace ant trails back to their nesting sites, inspect for hidden moisture issues, and apply treatments that work for Louisiana homes, not just homes in the Pacific Northwest or Washington State.
From pinpointing leaks to removing ant nests in hard-to-reach places, our pest management approach is all about long-term relief.
Ready to kick ants out for good?
Contact us today and let’s get your home dry, clean, and ant-free.
