Jun 30, 2023 | Florida Pest Control
Once they’ve infested your yard, it can be difficult to get rid of ant infestations. These pests are extremely invasive and will search our yards and inside our homes for a place to nest and for a food source. Once ants take over your yard, it’s likely they will enter your home, sometimes without us even knowing. Check out the common ways to prevent ants in your Florida yard.
Clean Up Debris
Keeping your yard well-maintained is crucial in preventing ants from taking over your yard. Make sure you regularly mow your grass and trim back plants and shrubbery away from the home. Likewise, ensure that leaves and debris are picked up, especially after a storm. Get rid of rotten tree stumps or logs, as ants will build their nests in them.
Utilize Natural Remedies
Did you know there are certain smells that will deter ants away? It’s true! Ants dislike scents such as peppermint, vinegar, and citrus. Consider using these scents to deter them away from your yard and home by placing cotton balls soaked in the scent around the perimeter of your property.
Remove Food Sources
Ants are looking for water and food sources to survive, making it crucial to remove them. While many of us leave our pet’s food bowls outdoors during the warmer months, it’s important to remove them at night, as they will attract not only ants but other creatures such as rats and mice. Likewise, remove any standing water from your property, including fixing leaky pipes, removing buckets holding water, and unclogging gutters.
Eliminate Points of Entry
To ensure ants will not enter your home, it’s important to identify and eliminate any entry points they could enter in from. Inspect the exterior of your home and seal any holes, gaps, and cracks you find. Don’t forget to check the areas around pipes and wires as well. Likewise, check your windows and doors for any openings and consider utilizing screens and weatherstripping.
Eliminating ants can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Consider reaching out to your local pest control company which can help identify the type of ant, provide you with a treatment plan, and set you up with a prevention plan to avoid a future infestation.
Apr 4, 2023 | Pest Control
If you have never encountered ants in your Alabama home, then count yourself lucky. These household pests have a knack at being some of the most annoying pests to infest – taking over your pantry, kitchen, bathroom, you name it! Here are the best methods of ensuring your home is never taken over by ants!
Know Where They Hang Out
It’s not surprising to hear that ants prefer to invade kitchens; after all, they provide food, water, and everything ants (and other pests) need to survive. Bathrooms, bedrooms, living rooms, basements, inside walls, and in or around air conditioning and heating units are also known to attract these nuisance pests.
Eliminate Water Sources
Moisture and standing water are big attractants for ants and many other pests. Be sure to repair any leaky pipes, and routinely check for excess moisture. If your basements, crawlspaces, or attics appear to be damp, then utilize a dehumidifier. On the outside of your home, ensure gutters and downspouts are functioning properly.
Eliminate Food Sources
Keep your kitchen tidy by cleaning up after cooking and eating to lessen the chance of crumbs being left out. Utilize airtight containers to keep opened food items safe from these tiny pests. Also, make sure to clean up pet food that’s left out, as this is also an attractant for pests.
Eliminate Access Points
If ants are finding their way inside, then that means there are entry points on the exterior of your home. Take the time to find where ants are making their way indoors and seal any cracks, gaps, or openings. Utility pipes are usually the number one place where ants can find any potential openings.
Reach out to your local pest control company and they can provide an ant-free home!
Apr 3, 2023 | Pest Control
Tennessee Pest Control: Ant Control
There are several types of ants that can infiltrate your Tennessee home. Some of the most common are carpenter ants, Pharaoh ants, and odorous house ants. If you aren’t sure what kind you’re dealing with, here’s a quick breakdown of these three:
- Pharaoh Ants: About 1/8 inch long, these light brown or yellow colored pests are often found near water sources. If you see them in your home, check for leaks or standing water. They are known to carry diseases, such as salmonella or staphylococcus, so be sure to rid them from your home immediately.
- Carpenter Ants: They are larger than the pharaoh ant, measuring up to ½ inch long. If you see them in your home, there’s likely a nest nearby. They are known to damage wood in homes, so it’s important to prevent an infestation.
- Odorous Ants: Black in color and measuring up to 1/8 inch long, these pests got their name from the odor they emit when crushed. They are often found near food sources, so discovering them in your kitchen or pantry isn’t uncommon.
How to Prevent Ants:
- Seal cracks and crevices around windows, doors, foundation, or exterior walls
- Keep your plants and shrubbery trimmed back and away from your home
- Store firewood and other yard debris at least 20 feet away from your home’s exterior
- Consider utilizing a routine pest control service to help identify entry points, treat infestations, and prevent future infestations.
Give your local pest control company a call today for a FREE inspection!
Mar 17, 2023 | Pest Control
As the weather starts to warm up, many of us look forward to spring and all that it brings. Unfortunately, one of the things that it brings is ants. In the springtime, these household pests become more active and start to look for sources of food and water. If you’re not careful, you may find yourself dealing with an infestation. Let’s discuss the different types of ants you’ll encounter in the springtime and how to prevent them from returning.
Different Types of Ants
- Pavement Ants: These pests are typically found in cracks and crevices in concrete or pavement. They are small, black, or brown, and can form large colonies.
- Carpenter Ants: Carpenter ants are larger than other species and are typically black or red. They can cause significant damage to wood structures, as they excavate tunnels to build their nests.
- Argentine (Sugar) Ants: Argentine ants are light to dark brown and are known for forming massive colonies. They are attracted to sweet foods and can quickly become a nuisance.
- Odorous House Ants: Odorous house ants are dark brown or black and emit a foul odor when crushed. They are attracted to sweets and can quickly infest your kitchen.
How to Prevent Ants:
- Keep your home clean: They are attracted to food, so keeping your home clean and free of crumbs is essential. Wipe down countertops, sweep and mop floors, and make sure all food is stored in airtight containers.
- Seal cracks and crevices: These tiny pests can enter your home through the tiniest of cracks and crevices. Seal any openings around windows, doors, and baseboards with caulk.
- Remove sources of water: They also need water to survive, so fixing leaky pipes, and keeping pet bowls and sink dishes dry is essential.
- Use natural remedies: These creatures dislike certain scents, including peppermint, vinegar, and citrus. You can use these scents to deter them from entering your home by placing cotton balls soaked in the scent around the perimeter of your home.
- Call a professional: If you have a severe infestation, it’s best to call a professional pest control service. They have the tools and knowledge to eliminate them and prevent them from returning.
If an ant problem has become more than you can handle, be sure to give your local pest control company a call for a free inspection today!
Aug 8, 2022 | Florida Pest Control
Ft. Myers Pest Control: Signs of an Ant Infestation
Ants are small, annoying, and can sometimes lead to health risks. Finding them infested in your home is always alarming! There are several ant species found in the Fort Myers area, including ghost ants, white-footed ants, and carpenter ants. Once these pests infest your home, it can be extremely difficult to get rid of them. Check out our top 3 signs you need ant control for your home.
Noticing Sawdust Trails
Carpenter ants are known to nest in damaged wood, especially wood that is damp from water. Their damage includes excavating wood to create their nests and creating holes. If you notice small trails of sawdust around, inside, or outside the home, it’s likely that you have ants.
Look for piles of sawdust near wooden beams, window ledges, skirting boards, and wood flooring. If you find sawdust or even the holes they create, it’s a sign that carpenter ants have infested.
Discarded Wings
Did you know that some ant types have wings for a short time? These ‘flying ants’ will usually swarm during the summer when a younger queen leaves the nest to start their own colony. If you notice discarded wings on the floors, windowsills, or doorsills, an ant colony could be inside the home.
Wooden Structures are Damaged
One of the more serious signs of an ant infestation is noticing that your home’s wood structures are crumbling when touched. This is a sign that the home structure is weakened, sometimes caused by ants. Often, the wood can look normal from just looking at it, but a tell-tale sign if ants have infested is finding hollow-sounding wood that is weak under pressure.
To prevent ants, utilize these preventative measures throughout your home,
- Seal any gaps or holes leading into the home.
- Trim back tree branches and shrubs away from the home to eliminate access points.
- Reach out to your local Ft. Myers pest control company to provide you with the best prevention and treatment options for ants.
