Ant is one of the houseguests no one wants, but nearly gets them! As per a recent survey by the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), ants of every species are everywhere.
In fact, in America, they are considered the number 1 nuisance pest among all.
With over 700 types of ants in the US alone, there’s no doubt that these pests can become problematic in no time. As these insects are just tiny and rarely bothersome, most people tend to ignore the fact that they may pose health risks and may also cause structural damage to the home.
Luckily, there are several ways to get rid of this pest. You can take necessary measures such as preventing water from standing in or near your home, repairing hose bibs and other supply lines, etc.
Why Do Ants Come Into Your Home?
Ants are considered nature’s cleaning crew. They clean and remove bits and scraps of food. But the problem is, sometimes we don’t want their help. Well, seeing a line of ants can be a horrifying experience for many. But why do they come into your home?
Well, the first thing to know is – they are more active during summer. They usually come into your home in search of water during dry periods. So, if you see them near your kitchen sink or bathroom, don’t fret or panic! Sometimes, heavy rains flood their colony, which drives them to take shelter in your home.
But ants have brains smaller than a grain of sand. So, how do they find a way to get to our homes? They are attracted to food in the kitchen pantries. When an ant finds some delicious food lying around, they responds by placing tiny droplets of pheromone all the way back to the nest. Once this happens, hundreds of others follow the trail to the food.
Also, some species, like carpenter ants, thrive in damp and decaying wood. So, if you see damp furniture, it’s time to take care of it before a bunch of ants make it their residence.
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Common Types of Ants Found in Homes
1. Argentine Ants
How To Identify Argentine Ants? Argentine ants are small (about 2-3mm) and dark brown and move in long trails. They are attracted to sugary food products, and unlike traditional ants, they don’t build mounds but nest under rocks, walls, and moist soil.
2. Carpenter Ants
How To Identify Carpenter Ants? Been bitten by big black or red ants? Those are carpenter ants! They don’t eat wood—they hollow it out to nest, weakening your home. Got damp or rotting wood nearby? That’s likely where they’re hiding. They might sometimes be difficult to identify because they leave sawdust-like wood shavings (frass), which may seem like a termite infestation. Also, they make faint rustling sounds inside the walls and large winged ants during mating seasons. If you see these signs and suspect termites (which is sometimes possible), call for Ant control services.
3. Velvety Tree Ants
How To Identify Velvety Tree Ants? You’ll find velvety tree ants mainly in forests, and you can identify them by their shiny black abdomens, coppery-red heads, and thoraxes. If you find an odor of rotten coconuts, know that these tiny creatures are around. You can find them in large colonies, which look like a well-defined trail along tree trunks or walls. Unlike carpenter ants, they don’t burrow in the walls. They can come inside your home to find sweets and proteins.
4. Pharaoh Ants
How To Identify Pharaoh Ants? Pharaoh ants are tiny, invasive pests often found in homes, hospitals, and restaurants. They thrive in warm, humid spots and nest in hidden areas like outlets, floorboards, and wall voids. They are very easy to spot. Just look for yellow to light brown colored ants with dark abdomens, which are around 2 mm in length. You’ll find them forming long trails to food sources. But they are challenging to get rid of because they spread by “budding,” which means splitting the colony. Thus, they often require professional pest control services.
5. Thief Ants
How To Identify Thief Ants? These ants are 1.5 mm long and yellowish or tan in color. You’ll find them lighter than any other ants (except for pharaoh ants). Their eyes are tiny, with 4 to 6 ommatidia (facets). Also, their 10-segmented antennae have pronounced 2-segmented clubs with very small stingers. Pharaoh and thief ants are often misidentified because of their similar size and color.
6. Red Imported Fire Ants
Red imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta) are an aggressive and invasive ant species. They are known for their painful sting and rapid colony expansion. They originate from South America and build large dome-shaped mounds in open, sunny areas like lawns, tree bases, and sidewalks. If disturbed, they attack in swarms.
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How To Get Rid Of Ants In The House?
If you have readily available food at home, be assured that it is a recipe for disaster if you don’t wish to have ants. They are small, but do not underestimate how much they can disperse pathogenic bacteria at home! If you wish to eliminate them forever, test out our solutions.
1. Borax Solutions
Borax, a white powder, is generally used as a cleaning agent. It can also be used as an insecticide and emulsifier. Borax disrupts the digestive system of the ants, leading to death. If ants are exposed to borax-laced bait, they carry it back to the colony, which kills other ants.
In order to make a borax solution, you will require one tablespoon of sugar, two tablespoons of water, and one tablespoon of borax. Dip a cotton ball in the mixture and place it where you have seen the ants.
Always keep them out of reach of children and pets.
2. Diatomaceous Earth (Silicon Dioxide)
This type of silica, which comes from the fossilized remains of aquatic organisms (diatoms), is the best option for killing ants! While they won’t harm you, to ants, it’s a big terror! It will dehydrate the insect’s body entirely. Also, to prevent skin irritation, don’t touch this compound too much.
3. Tea Tree Oil
You can make use of the pungent aroma of tea tree oil to destroy the trails of ants’ pheromones. You can mix around 10-15 drops of this oil with water or vinegar and spray it wherever you notice ants. In case this fails, call the professionals.
4. Distilled White Vinegar
Try applying vinegar since ants do not enjoy the smell of it. The more concentrated the vinegar solution, the better. Our advice is to use one part vinegar and three parts water. Some prefer using 100% vinegar to ensure optimal effectiveness.
All you need to do is spray the entrance, window sills, and the back door! Use a damp cloth soaked in this solution and clean the surface to say goodbye to the pheromones!
5. Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil’s foul aroma keeps ants away but without causing any harm to them. Mix a few drops with water in a spray bottle and apply it around your garden or lawn to form a protective barrier. Spray this mixture wherever you see ant activity to repel them effectively.
6. Cinnamon
Cinnamon contains the active compound cinnamaldehyde, which kills and repels ants. Sprinkle cinnamon powder around the point of entry, such as doors and windows, for optimum results—its pungent aroma deters ants. Soak cotton balls in cinnamon oil and position them in areas where ants frequently stay. Just be sure to replace the cotton balls from time to time and place them out of the reach of children and pets.
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When Does An Ant Infestation Require Professional Pest Control?
Well, that depends on the type and severity of the infestation. Handling a problem isn’t easy. Sometimes, even cleaning houses and anti-pest solutions do not help.
So, here are a few circumstances that require professional pest control services –
- If you’ve already tried several homemade solutions, and these creepers still come back, it is time to call in an expert.
- If you notice long ant trails or see them frequently here and there in your home, there is a chance they have built multiple nests. Hence, a professional can help eliminate the infestation.
- If you see holes in the wooden structures or furniture in your home, there are most probably carpenter ants living in them. Get a professional involved before they destroy your wooden artifacts.
- If you have dealt with multiple ant infestations in a shorter period, there is a chance that your house will be attractive to them. A professional exterminator can identify the reasons for infestation and provide proper solutions to prevent future infestations.
Takeaway
Ants are common intruders on residential and commercial properties across the United States. They are mostly harmless, but some of them bite if they sense danger or come in contact with humans. However, once they invade your home, it is extremely challenging for you to get rid of them. Though there are certain deterring methods you can use – they work mostly on minor infestations.
In case of a major infestation, you can get in touch with a professional exterminator to help you remove ants from your home.
When Does An Ant Infestation Require Professional Pest Control?
Finley Pest Control has been serving the Greater Sacramento Area for many years. We have been helping residents and commercial properties get rid of ants. We quickly identify the type of species bothering you and suggest solutions that not only kill them but also prevent any further infestations.
We also help you with home inspection, construction, and repair services. So, whatever your need may be, rely on us for the best services.
Contact us now to book a consultation and get a free quote for pest inspection in Rocklin.
