Ants are a common threat to homeowners during the warm summer months. These household pests can cause a lot of issues, and many homeowners aren't ready to handle them. Ants are deceptively resilient, able to respond to threats, and survive many common pest control methods. Proper ant control in Everett involves being able to identify ants quickly, knowing the dangers different species present, and removing them effectively. In this article, we'll give you all the information you need to accomplish these steps and more. We'll discuss practical prevention methods that you can implement today in a later section. We'll also talk about the best kind of pest control you can access – professional pest control, like what we offer at Guard Pest Control. For years, we've been helping with pest control in Everett and the surrounding areas. Our customers are always our first priority, and we're excited to work with you and begin the process of reclaiming your home from invasive pests.
Identifying Common Ant Species
The first key step in dealing with any sort of pest infestation is to correctly identify the pest. There are several types of ants in Everett that homeowners may encounter, but we'll focus on three for this article. Those three ants are the carpenter ant, the pavement ant, and the odorous house ant. Each of these ant species has its own distinct characteristics and habits, and each brings a different kind of risk with them. We'll talk about the risks in an upcoming section, but for now, let's look at how to identify each of the three.
Carpenter ants are named because of their habit of chewing small tunnels into wood. These tunnels form their nests. Unlike some other pests, such as termites, carpenter ants don't actually consume the wood; they just chew through it and push it out of the tunnel. This can create small piles of sawdust underneath the holes, which is often an indicator of their presence. Carpenter ants are usually black, red, brown, or some combination of these colors. They average between 1/2 and 5/8 of an inch in length.
Pavement ants get their name because of their habit of hiding in cracks in the pavement. They are sometimes found inside homes or other structures as well. Their tendency to make nests in out-of-the-way areas can make them difficult to spot. They are usually dark brown or black and don't tend to grow longer than an eighth of an inch.
Odorous house ants emit a distinct, unpleasant smell when squashed. These ants are also known as "sugar ants" because of their fondness for sweets. They are the smallest of the three, ranging from 1/16 to 1/8 of an inch long. They are black or brown in color.
Now that you know how to identify these different ant species, we should talk about the dangers of an ant infestation.
The Issues Ant Infestations Create In Homes
Ants may not seem like the most dangerous pests when you first encounter them, but they can be more than an annoyance if you don't get rid of them quickly. Ants contaminate food and other surfaces around your home. Certain species of ants, such as carpenter ants, can cause property damage or deliver painful bites. Ants are also difficult to get rid of, as they can move their colonies in response to danger. In the next section, we'll discuss some ant prevention tips to help you keep these pests away.
Prevention Is Critical To Successful Ant Control
Keeping pests away from your home is one of the pillars of successful pest control. Ants are typically attracted to factors like moisture, food, and shelter, so you should take them into account when planning to keep ants out. Here are a few things you can do to keep your home safe:
- Store food in sealed containers.
- Clean up food spills as soon as they happen.
- Make sure your gutters and downspouts are in working condition.
- Trim branches and shrubs that grow too close to your home.
- Seal gaps and cracks in your home's exterior walls and foundation.
Following these steps is an important part of ant control for homeowners. If you have an infestation in your home, the best way to handle it is to call a professional pest control service.
Professional Assistance Is Key To Total Ant Control
For years, Guard Pest Control has been helping homeowners in the Everett area and beyond. With over 20 years of industry experience, you can count on us to provide reliable, efficient solutions. Helping your family experience the peace of mind of a pest-free home is our top priority.
If you're looking for a professional ant control service near your home, look no further than Guard Pest Control.