Insects play a crucial role in the environment but are considered harmful when they invade homes. They can damage clothes and furniture by chewing holes, as well as contaminate food. Ants enter homes in search of food, water, and shelter. Getting rid of them entirely may require one or more methods depending on the type of infestation. Ants are one of the most common domestic insects. They can irritate and cause harm to inhabitants, while also degrading property and household structure. Fire ants, for example, are known for the painful bite that they have, and can be very dangerous for children and individuals who are sensitive or allergic to the toxins in their saliva.
To most people, ants seem to be out of sight and out of mind. However, there are several notorious species of these insects entering homes everyday. A common type of ant that may invade the house is the pharaoh ant, carpenter ant, and acrobatic ant. Each species of ant has different characteristics and may require varying approaches to control it. To identify types of ants in your home, obtain samples of insects or take some pictures and then seek the help of an expert or licensed professional.
It is very frustrating to fight an ant infestation due to an ant’s small size and ability to hide in hard-to-reach places. To fight them, a distinction must be made between the types of insects in your home, and a personalized plan can be created to control them. You should also be aware of when it is best to seek professional help to deal with your pest problems.
Ants are considered social insects, living and working together in groups known as colonies. A colony may have hundreds or millions of members depending on the species. Each colony has "classes" of different ants who have a multitude of roles and responsibilities. Each colony has a queen to lay their eggs. The other members are the "worker ants" working to get food for the group. Looking for food, they follow the path to food and a return path to their home. Winged ants called "swarmers" are responsible for mating to create a new colony. If you see ants leaving the nest, this usually means there are eggs in the house. Swarmers are often confused with termites, but have slightly differing appearances. For example, ants are small in size while termites have the same width from top to bottom. Also, ant wings may vary in size—larger front wings compared to the rear wings—while termites have wings that are the same size.
Ants can be eliminated by the spraying of pesticides into their nests, killing the queen and indoor workers. Ant’s nests are usually found in walls and doors, furniture, appliances, kitchens, and closets. Typically, it is hard to find their nests because of the inconspicuous locations of their colonies.
Ants are repelled by several common household objects, such as cinnamon, catnip, dish soap, vinegar, black pepper, bay leaf, lemon, clove, and mint.
If these solutions are not working for you, we recommend you call the professionals at BioGuard Pest Solutions.