Ants

Ants are fascinating insects with complex social structures. Ant colonies can quickly spring up near or inside your home, invading your food stores, causing a nuisance, and even destroying wood structure foundations in some cases. They might be small, but they are certainly mighty. Where there is one, there is the whole colony, so keeping these insects out of your home is a must. Learn about ants and how to control ant invasions with advice from the MosquitoNix® Library.

Ant colonies thrive on set social structures, which are divided into three main groups: queens, males and workers. Queens start colonies and lay eggs, males are strictly for mating and workers gather food and protect the colony. Every ant in the colony has a specific job to do, and when the ants work together, the colony thrives, and numbers grow quickly.

Ants are foragers, and some eat only plants and nectar, but most ants eat a range of foods containing grease and protein. While ants enjoy fruits and sweets, they're also attracted to eggs, bread, cheese, nuts and meat.

There are many different types of ants that you may encounter. Common ant species found in homes and commercial buildings include Carpenter Ants, Odorous Ants, Fire Ants, Leafcutter Ants, Argentine Ants, Pharaoh Ants and Pavement Ants. Ants are expert foragers who are constantly looking for food and water sources. Thankfully, they don't carry diseases, so that is at least one less thing you have to worry about than if you had to deal with mosquitoes or ticks. However, they do spoil food with their bodily waste.

Depending on the species, ant colonies form outdoors or indoors. They are most attracted to damp areas such as gardens, yards and damp wood. An indoor invasion happens when colonies burrow through weakened wood, creating easy wall paths that go straight to food sources.

Sweet foods and sugary foods are what lure ants to your home. From human food to pet food, ants just want to eat. While we can relate, keeping all food tightly sealed and put away is key in keeping these bugs away from your home. They are smart, and they will find the food.

Ant control is challenging because colonies are hidden. Bug spray works on the few you see but usually don't make it back to the colony, making it difficult to stop the source of the problem. Ant traps work for some species, but not others. Your best bet at controlling ants in and around your home is eliminating their sources of food and shelter.

Prevent ants from getting inside by sealing cracks and gaps, cutting tree branches and long plant leaves that connect with the house. Check window and door screens for any tears or holes, and look around all forms of entry for holes or cracks that need to be sealed up. You should also store firewood away from entryways and get rid of standing water. Once again, properly put away and store all food-human and pet-to not give ants a reason to make their way into your home.

Once an ant colony is established, you'll need to locate it in order to eradicate the source of the invasion. It also helps to know what species of ants you're dealing with. Our team of experienced and certified MosquitoNix bug experts can do a fast assessment of your ant problem. We'll identify the ant species first, and then target the colony with our tried and true chemical or environmentally friendly formulas. There is no need to be stressed out about how you will get rid of the ants or try to wait them out until they look for another food source. Our caring and compassionate crews understand and will be able to put together a plan of action for whatever situation you have. If you've tried getting rid of ants to no avail, speak with one of our trained experts about our products and services.

FAQs:

The length of an ant's lifespan depends on its gender and role in the colony. Male ants live for only a few weeks and usually die after mating. Female workers can live for several months, and the queen can live for decades under the right conditions. An infestation is not something to play around with considering how long certain species can live with the right conditions.

Before you can know how to get rid of ants in the house, you need to determine which type of ant you're dealing with. Different ants have different needs, live in different habitats and eat different foods. Typically, by eliminating their food supplies and shelter sites, you can successfully eliminate ants in the house. MosquitoNix starts every ant treatment by first identifying the type of ant so the proper treatment can be chosen. Do it right the first time and you won't have to worry about trying a bunch of different things hoping something works.

If you prefer to keep harsh chemicals out of your home, you may be wondering how to get rid of ants naturally. Natural ant repellent products are available commercially, but the best way to naturally rid your home of ants is to find how they're getting in and to seal it so they can't keep coming in. You can also eliminate their food sources, so they won't want to enter your home in the first place. Prevention is key and the most natural way to keep these insects out of your home.