Spring is the start of ant season here in the Tri-State and we’re here to help make sure your home is well protected. As the weather warms up, ants become a major problem as they emerge and begin foraging for food and water sources. This could spell disaster for your home. Snowball Pest Control is here to make sure you and your family are well protected.
Ant Types and Behaviors
First things first, you need to identify the type of ants you’re seeing before you can decide how to deal with them. Common spring pests include two types of ants: carpenter ants and pavement ants. These two species not only look completely different, but also forage differently and pose different threats to your home.
Pavement ants are common everywhere in the Tri-State. They live in rural, suburban, and city communities and have large colonies that you’ll typically see as “ant hills.” They’re small and black or brown in color and build their nests outdoors. These are the ants you typically see around your sidewalk, patio, or driveway, hence their name.
Pavement ants come inside through cracks and gaps, such as the one under your front door, in search of crumbs or food that is not properly contained. They eat everything we do and once they’ve located a source of food, they will bring reinforcements to collect the food and take it back to the colony.
Carpenter ants, on the other hand, build their nests in wood both indoors and outdoors. This means that they will burrow into and inhabit the walls of your home and cause serious structural damage if not eradicated. They like to build their nests near a water source, such as bathrooms, basements, and kitchens, and multiple colonies can exist in one home.
Carpenter ants are much larger than pavement ants, 3.4 to 13 mm in length, and they are typically black in color (though there are also reddish brown or yellow variations). They can burrow into your home through exposed, damaged wood or use tree limbs as bridges to reach your roof or window sills.
Prevent an Infestation
There are some good tips to keep ants from infesting your home. First and foremost, make sure all food items are properly sealed and stored away. Do not leave scraps on tables or countertops and make sure you sweep your floors regularly to get rid of crumbs.
Second, all moisture problems need to be corrected. This means any leaking pipes, cracks near windows, and any areas with damp and rotting wood.
Third, you need to seal off access. This means sealing cracks and gaps, replacing worn out caulking, etc. so that ants can’t enter. It’s also helpful to trim back bushes or trees that overhang parts of your home so that ants can’t use the limbs as bridges.
When to Call Snowball Pest Control
If you already have an infestation, you’ll need the help of a professional exterminator to eradicate the problem. At Snowball Pest Control, we employ a variety of treatments to ensure ant colonies are destroyed and their access points eliminated.
Treatment will vary based on the severity of the infestation. The sooner we get involved, the better so call us today at (859) 635-7793 for an onsite consultation. We’ll identify the type of ant you’re dealing with and go over treatment options so that your home is ant free all summer long.