Jun 22, 2023 | Pest Control
Ants are a common pest that can invade your kitchen and other areas of your home or yard. Not only are they annoying, but they can also get into your food and be difficult to remove from your home. Let’s explore different types of ants and provide tips on how to prevent them from entering your home or yard.
There are many different types of ants, but some of the most common ones found in kitchens include: Argentine ants, carpenter ants, and odorous house ants. Argentine ants are small and brown, while carpenter ants are larger and can cause damage to wood structures. Odorous house ants are small and black and emit a strong odor when crushed.
To prevent ants in your kitchen:
- Keep your kitchen clean and free of crumbs or spills
- Keep your counters and floors clean
- Store food in airtight containers
- Keep your trash cans sealed tightly
- Use ant baits or sprays to eliminate any ants that may be present
To prevent ants from entering other areas of your home or yard:
- Seal any cracks or crevices where they can enter
- Keep your yard clean and free of debris
- Remove any sources of standing water
- Avoid leaving food or sugary drinks outside
If you have a specific type of ant that is causing problems in your home or yard, there may be specific prevention methods that are more effective. For example, if you have carpenter ants, it’s important to remove any rotting wood or other sources of moisture that may be attracting them.
Our team of experts are ready to help you identify what type of invading ant you have in your home. Give your local pest control company a call for a free inspection today!
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!
Apr 26, 2013 | Uncategorized
Ants have been making their presence known in homes as of late. Ants are one of the most common pests that homeowner’s and pest professionals find in and around homes. Common ant species are fire ants, carpenter ants, Argentine ants, acrobat ants, and odorous house ants.
Ants have a wide range of habits. Some ants build mounds in the ground, others are found in homes near cracks and crevices, on counters, in kitchen sinks, pantries, and even bathrooms. Knowing the different species of ants and their habits and preferences is key in controlling an ant problem.
Most ants are simply a nuisance pest. They cause little damage but will invade and ruin food and some ants bite. Generally speaking, there are no diseases associated with ants.
A licensed pest professional can identify the type of ant that you are experiencing and develop a customized plan to get rid of ants. With this process, you are using the least amount of chemical possible (if any) while also coming up with a plan that will deter ants from returning. If you are one of the many homeowner’s experiencing ants right now, call Northwest Exterminating at 888.466.7849 or visit www.callnorthwest.com
Apr 1, 2013 | Uncategorized
Properly identifying pests is such an important part of pest control prevention and management. Professionals and homeowners both need to be aware of what pest they are dealing with so they know what actions need to be taken to properly get rid of and prevent the pest from returning.
Ants are a common concern in both residential and commercial dwellings. Knowing what kind of ants you have will help in knowing the best course of action to treat the property. Our Pest ID page gives 5 common ants that can be found in properties in the southeast: fire ants, carpenter ants, argentine ants, acrobat ants, and odorous house ants. To find out more information about any of these types of ants, visit our Pest ID page or click on a picture below.
Acrobat Ant
Odorous House Ant
Argentine Ants
Carpenter Ants
Fire Ant
Jan 30, 2013 | Uncategorized
Ants in the kitchen, ants in the bathroom…that wouldn’t be unusual except it is in the middle of winter!!! Aren’t ants supposed to hibernate during the cold months?
Most likely the ants that are seen during winter are Argentine ants. These ants don’t have to live in the ground; they can make themselves right at home under structures or in the walls of homes protected from the elements. And just a few feet away is everything they need to survive: water, food and shelter. But just think, if the ants are this bad now, imagine how bad they will be in the summer!
Argentine Ant
Argentine ants can quickly populate into multiple colonies containing many queens and thousands of workers. The ants can travel freely between and within these colonies. Due to their fast growth it makes it difficult to control these ants once they have made their way into a structure. People often panic when they see ants inside their home and spray them with the closest can of bug spray that they can find. This might fix the problem temporarily, however, it is best to have a professional who can properly identify the ants and understand their habits in order to devise a treatment plan that will be most effective.
Argentine ants are constantly looking for food. They love sugary foods like soft drinks and syrups. Once an ant finds a food source, it alerts the other ants to “come and get it.” Before you know it the trashcans, counter tops and cabinets are taken over by ants! But don’t worry; there are ways to combat these guys once they have invaded.
- Keep counter tops clean of food and drink residue.
- Frequently wipe out cabinets to remove food debris.
- Thoroughly rinse out soft drink cans and bottles before throwing them in the trash and take the trash out often.
- Don’t leave unclean dishes in the sink or dishwasher.
- Keep sugary foods like cereal in sealed containers.
- Some household plants attract small insects, like aphids, that produce honey dew. Argentine ants will feed on honey dew. Controlling the insects on plants or selecting plants that are not susceptible to them will help to deter ants.
While all these methods can be effective, the best way to battle Argentine ants is to keep them from entering homes in the first place. Homeowners can cut limbs and other vegetation away from homes to prevent easy access. Rake fallen leaves and pine straw away from the home. Seal all cracks and entry points around the home (this will help with energy bills as well). Don’t forget about potted plants; ants can even nest under pots!
Many times, the materials we use to make our landscaping aesthetically pleasing are the very materials that will harbor pests. Mulch is not only a favorite material for homeowners to use, but it is also the preferred nesting material for ants – providing moisture and shelter from the elements. If mulch is used next to a house it should be pulled away from the outside walls. Refrain from over-watering mulched areas and limit the depth of the mulch to just a couple of inches to help keep it more dry. The drier the mulch, the less inviting it is for ants and other insects.
Garbage cans are often stored next to houses and buildings for convenience. It also makes the area more attractive to ants and brings them closer to your home. Garbage should be kept in sealed cans that are stored as far away from the home as possible.
Controlling Argentine ants is a difficult, year-round task, but with proper prevention and the help of your pest control provider, it is possible.
Teresa Womack
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