When was the last time you noticed ant trails in your house? Imagine finding these insects building their nests on your newly painted walls! Isn’t it annoying? No matter what pests you control, they are all challenging to remove. The same is the case with ant infestation. You can never control an ant population until and unless you don’t wholly eradicate their trail nest. Knowing where they come from and how they nest themselves on your property requires professional help. Hiring expert pest control for ants is necessary to control a severe infestation through natural and eco-friendly methods.
Pest Control for Ants: Ways to Identify Different Species in Home
Size and Colour Variations
You can find ant species available in different colours and sizes. If you notice tiny insects in your household, these are Pharaoh Ants. And if they are larger, they are Carpenter Ants. They come in colour varieties from black and brown to red and yellowish.
Body Structure and Features
Examine their body structure and features. The Carpenter species has a robust body structure with a smooth thorax. The fire species has a segmented body with a noticeable stinger. Pavement species have a visible ridge on their thorax as well as heads.
Antennae Shape and Leg Length
Ants have bent or straight antennae, which helps them with identification. Sugar species have curved long antennae, and Argentine species have straight, shorter ones. Fire species have elbowed distinct antennae to detect food sources.
Nesting Habits
It depends on the ant species and what kind of nesting location they are heading for. Carpenters build their nests into wood, leaving behind sawdust. Pharaohs thrive in hidden, warm places like cabinets and walls. Pavement ants prefer nesting in cracks alongside foundations as well as sidewalks.
Foraging Behaviour and Food Preferences
Observing their diet and food preferences can also differentiate them. Sugar species prefer sugary substances, and grease species look for fatty foods. Carpenter species are more into sweets and proteins.
What Damage Can They Do To House and Health?
You are entirely wrong if you take ants as tiny insects crawling around in a house in one corner. You have no idea how dangerous they are to the property and your health. When talking about structural damage, they build their nests in electrical wiring, which can pose a risk of fire hazards. They can also tunnel through wood, damaging the furniture, walls, as well as foundations.
Above all, concerning health dangers, these insects can contaminate food by carrying bacteria from unhygienic areas. This can cause a risk of spreading diseases like salmonella. Fire ants have painful stings, which can cause allergic reactions.
How to Look For Their Nests?
To look for any nest, observe the worker ants and follow their trails. They will build their nest near food sources. Look for small dirt mounds in damp areas as well as walls. Ants typically build their nests in hidden spots. For pest control for ants check under logs, rocks, appliances, or inside wall voids. Take a flashlight and start inspecting foundation gaps and baseboards. Once the nest is located, you can hence treat it with natural repellents to eliminate the colony. If you do not know repellents, never use them until an ant control Pitt Meadows exterminator guide you.
Can Ants Go Away On Their Own?
When performing any DIY ant control Surrey treatment, remember that they will never go away alone. Removing ants from your home is not the only solution; removing trails is also necessary for their permanent control. They will continue to invade those places where they find sources of food and shelter. Ants have strong antennae power through which they locate the areas kept with sugary substances to attack. Inspect the house properly as well as pinpoint the areas where ants are coming from.
Preventive Measures to Follow for an Ant Control
Keep Your Home Clean
Keeping the home clean from any crumbs and spills is extremely important for pest control for ants. Their major attractant is the food source. Regularly mop floors and sweep the house corners. Seal the food containers tightly and wipe down the counters every night. Store the pet food properly and never leave it open.
Seal Entry Points
Inspect the entire house for pest control for ants and notice from which gaps, cracks, or holes they enter. Seal all holes around windows, walls, as well as doors with weather-stripping or caulk. This will prevent these insects from gaining access to your home.
Remove Food Sources
Eliminate all those food temptations which these pests like the most. Remove baked goods, sugar items, and fruits. If you still want to keep all these, store them in airtight containers. Dispose of garbage daily in sealed bins.
Eliminate Moisture
These insects build their nests in damp environments, so ensure you eliminate moisture in your house surroundings. Do not let any standing water near your house. Fix leaky faucets, pipes, or drainage issues. Ensure proper ventilation in kitchens, bathrooms, or basement areas to reduce humidity.
Maintain Outdoor Areas
Just like indoors, maintaining outdoor space is equally important. Trim any extra trees and plants away. Try to keep debris, firewood, and mulch away from wall areas. Ants can use all these sources to build their nests or as entry paths into a house.
Regular Inspections
Last but not least, regular inspections are performed. Check the entire property and figure out all the areas that can be a cause of their entrance. As soon as you notice them in a vast population, instant ant control Burnaby measures are necessary.
FAQs
1. When should you hire professional help?
Professional services of pest control for ants are needed when all your DIY techniques fail to bring desired results. They inspect the property entirely and go for quick removal through non-toxic treatments.
2. Is professional ant treatment safe for pets and kids?
Yes, ASM Pest Exterminator uses modern, eco-friendly treatments that are safe for kids and pets when applied correctly.
3. How often should I get my house professionally treated?
One-time treatment is best for minor infestations. However, quarterly or annual treatments are best for severe infestations.
4. Can I prevent ants permanently?
You can reduce the chances of ant infestation, but occasional ants will still reappear. Maintenance of houses with proper cleaning and regular inspection is the only key to pest control for ants.
Say Goodbye to Ants with ASM Pest Exterminator!
Worried about ants invading your business and home? ASM Pest Exterminator is here to be your partner in dealing with challenging infestations without hassle. Our expert ant control Langley team uses eco-friendly and natural solutions to ensure long-lasting results and make your space safe for all. Contact us now and book your house inspections to have a pest-free environment.
