What Kind of Ants Are in My Kitchen?

If you’re seeing ants in your kitchen, one of the first questions that comes up is: what kind are these?

That actually makes a difference in how the problem gets handled.

Some come in looking for food, while others are already living inside the home. Some spread quickly, while others stay close to one area.

At Getem Services, we’ve been helping homeowners in Hampton Roads deal with ants since 1922. After working in homes across the 757 for generations, we’ve seen just about every type of ant problem—and how it shows up in real homes.

Here’s how to figure out what you’re dealing with.

How to Tell What Kind of Ants You’re Seeing

You don’t need to be an expert to narrow it down. A few simple details can go a long way.

When you’re seeing ants in your kitchen, take note of:

• Size – are they tiny, or closer to the size of a grain of rice?
• Color – black, dark brown, reddish, or light tan
• Where they’re showing up – kitchen counters, cabinets, bathrooms, baseboards
• How many you’re seeing – a few at a time or steady trails
• When they’re active – all day, mostly at night, or after rain
• What happens if you crush one – some ants give off a noticeable odor

These small details help narrow down the type—and that helps determine what it’s going to take to actually get rid of them.

Ants Commonly Found in Hampton Roads Kitchens

In Hampton Roads, most kitchen ant problems involve a handful of specific types. Here are the ones we see most often in homes across Virginia Beach, Norfolk, and Chesapeake.

Odorous House Ants (Sugar Ants)

Odorous house ants are one of the ants we deal with most inside homes.

They’re tiny—often what people call “sugar ants”—because of how often they show up around sweets, spills, and pantry items. You’ll usually find them along counters, baseboards, or inside cabinets.

If you crush one, you may notice a strong, almost rotten smell. That’s how they got their name.

Little Black Ants

Little black ants are small, but they rarely show up alone.

You’ll usually notice long, steady trails along baseboards, counters, or walls as they move between a food source and their nest. Once those trails are established, they tend to stay active.

They can be tough to eliminate because what you’re seeing is only part of the activity.

Argentine Ants

Argentine ants tend to show up in large numbers and don’t stay in one place.

You might see them in multiple areas of the home at the same time because they often have several connected nesting sites. In Hampton Roads’ warm, humid conditions, they can build up quickly.

Once they’re established, they spread easily.

Pharaoh Ants

Pharaoh ants are small, light-colored ants that often nest inside homes.

They’re more likely to nest inside the home than other ants, which is why they commonly show up in kitchens and bathrooms. You might find them near sinks, inside cabinets, or around plumbing areas.

Because they can spread within walls and other hidden spaces, they’re one of the more persistent types to deal with.

Carpenter Ants

Carpenter ants are larger than most of the ants listed above.

They’re usually tied to moisture and are often found around crawl spaces, windows, bathrooms, or exterior walls. Instead of eating wood, they tunnel through it, which can lead to damage over time.

Seeing carpenter ants indoors is often a sign there’s a moisture issue somewhere in or around the home.

Why It Matters What Kind of Ants You Have

Not all ant problems are the same.

Some species nest outside and come in for food. Others may already be living inside walls, cabinets, or crawl spaces. Some spread quickly across a property, while others stay more localized.

That’s why identifying the type matters.

What works for one type of ant doesn’t always work for another—and treating what you see on the surface doesn’t address where they’re actually coming from.

Why Ants Keep Showing Up in Your Kitchen

Once you know what kind of ants you’re dealing with, the next question is usually why they’re showing up in the first place.

In most cases, the ants you see are coming from somewhere nearby—either outside the home or from a hidden area inside.

You might clean them up, only to see them again a few days later. That’s because the source hasn’t been addressed.

If you want a closer look at what’s causing the problem, you can read more about why ants show up in your kitchen and why ants keep coming from the same place.

Why DIY Ant Control Doesn’t Hold Up

A lot of homeowners try to handle ants themselves first—and that makes sense.

But in Hampton Roads, it usually doesn’t last.

Between the humidity and how close colonies tend to be to the home, ants rebound quickly. You might get rid of what you see, but more keep coming from the same place.

In some cases, store-bought sprays can actually push ants into new areas, spreading the problem instead of solving it.

Getting Rid of Ants in Your Kitchen

Getting rid of ants isn’t just about treating the ones you see—it’s about figuring out where they’re coming from and stopping the problem at the source.

That’s what we focus on at Getem Services.

Our team has been serving homeowners in Hampton Roads since 1922, and we’ve built our process around how pests behave in this area.

When you reach out, we start with a conversation to understand what you’re seeing. From there, we:

• Inspect inside and outside the home, including crawl spaces and accessible areas
• Treat around doors, windows, and the foundation
• Target active areas inside the home if needed
• Install and maintain bait stations when appropriate
• Address conditions that are allowing ants to keep showing up

From there, ongoing service helps keep activity under control throughout the year—especially during the times when ants are most active.

Ongoing Protection for Ants and Other Pests

Ant problems aren’t a one-time fix—they require ongoing attention.

That’s why ant control is included in Getem’s residential pest control plan.

With quarterly service, we stay ahead of the problem rather than react to it. Each visit includes:

• Exterior treatments to create a barrier around your home
• Removal of spider webs and wasp nests (up to one story)
• Monitoring and maintaining bait stations
• Interior service if there’s active pest activity

The plan covers ants and other common household pests, including spiders, roaches, mice, and more.

If something comes up between visits, we come back out and take care of it.

Local Experience You Can Count On

Getem Services has been serving homeowners in Hampton Roads since 1922.

We’re a local, family-owned company with a 4.9-star rating across more than 3,700 reviews. We live here, work here, and take pride in supporting the 757 community.

When we’re out on a job, we’re looking closely at where the activity is coming from, what’s driving it, and what it will take to eliminate it

That’s the difference between something that gets treated and something that actually gets solved.

Ready to Get Ants Under Control?

If you’re seeing ants in your kitchen, it’s a good time to take a closer look at what’s going on.

Our ongoing pest control plan is designed to help you stay ahead of the problem—not just for ants, but for other pests that show up in Hampton Roads homes throughout the year.

Call (757) 489-8610 or get started with Getem Services today.