Ants

Ants are mostly harmless to humans. However, the sheer number of them in a colony can create problems. If you see one, you’re probably going to see a lot really soon. Within ant colonies, each ant has a specific job. One of the more popular jobs is to find food. These scouts scavenge for food and water. If a small amount of nourishment is found, a few carry the bounty back to the colony. If they find a path into a 5 lbs. bag of sugar, they’re bringing the colony to the treasure in your pantry.

 

Signs of an Investation

  • Seeing ants where you store food

  • The constant sight of ants in areas containing sugars, meats, fats, and oils

  • Extruded sawdust and wood damage

  • Trails of ants around your property

 
  • If you see one you are probably going to see a lot really soon. When this happens, you’re dealing with such overwhelming numbers that victory becomes very difficult. You may be able to kill the ants you see, but not the ones in the wall or the ones coming through the crack in your roof. Ant prevention is the best method to keep ants out, but once in this situation, it’s more cost-effective to use professional treatments.

  • Poor sanitation is the primary cause of ant infestations. Leaving dirty dishes in the sink, food residue on countertops, crumbs on the floor, and trash not frequently emptied provide food sources for meal-seeking ants. What starts with a few foragers entering a home can become a major problem if ants establish colonies in walls, lawns, or under home foundations. goes here

  • One of the biggest problems related to ants in the home is food contamination. Ants carry bacteria on their bodies, which spreads when they crawl in pantries and across countertops. Only a few species are known to transmit diseases, but finding any type of ant in pantry goods or inside the home is an unpleasant experience that creates nuisances.

    Some species, like carpenter and fire ants, cause additional problems. A carpenter ant infestation can do costly damage by chewing tunnels through wood beams. Fire ant stings that involve envenomation can cause pain and more serious symptoms that often result in allergic reactions to some people who are hyper-sensitive to ant stings.