When it comes to common pests found in East End homes at this time of year, seeing a few house ants may seem like no big deal. They don’t bite and they won’t chew through your walls. They’re easy to dismiss or ignore. But are they really as harmless as they might seem?
The problem with ants is that where there are one or two, there are almost certainly dozens more – possibly hundreds – hidden from view. Odorous house ants are one of the species that you may encounter in late spring and early summer. Less than an eighth of an inch long, odorous house ants are black or brown, and have an oddly shaped mid-section. Their most noticeable trait is that, when crushed, they emit a highly unpleasant scent (often likened to that of rotting coconut) hence their name.
The days are lengthening, birds are singing in the trees, and flowers are budding… it’s spring on Long Island. Unfortunately, along with the glories of the season come springtime pests – including the annual invasion of multiple ant species.
Dealing with an ant infestation can be frustrating. Just when you think you’ve eliminated them, they mysteriously pop up in a different location and work in concert to avoid your extermination efforts. You think surely, they’re gone… but there they are, marching in lockstep into your pantry.
When you see 
When you think of carpenter ants, it’s entirely possible nothing positive comes to mind. But did you know they serve an important role in the ecosystem, and have some benefits for gardens as well? 
You see a few tiny 
