Of all the common pests out there, some of the most difficult to fully prevent are ants. These tiny insects can find all sorts of ways indoors and they are attracted by factors found in every single human home. That’s why it’s important to identify those factors and work to prevent ant infestations before they have a chance to grow and hunker down.
Types Of Common Invasive Ants
Most invasive ant species are relatively harmless to people, but some can be quite dangerous. No matter if it’s a nuisance species or a harmful one, all ants can contaminate food sources and attract other kinds of pests, like spiders, to your property. It’s important to be able to identify different types of common ant species:
- Pavement Ants: While they are commonly found outdoors, pavement ants are also common home invaders. They are small, black, and segmented, probably the image you conjure in your head when you picture a basic ant.
- Odorous House Ants: Another common home-invader, these ants result in foul odors when they are stepped on.
- Fire Ants: Known for their bright red color and painful stings, fire ants aren’t as harmless as the other varieties we’ve mentioned. They are both dangerous and even harder than other species to eliminate.
How Ant Infestations Start
The only way to identify an ant problem correctly and prevent one from moving into your home is to know where and why ants are drawn in. The vast majority of ant populations start outdoors, forming tunnel systems below the soil that they use to transport themselves to various areas around a property. They come inside because they are attracted to things like food, water, and shelter, but an ant’s actual preferred habitat is out in the dirt. Whether they make it inside or not, the reason an ant infestation is so hard to fully account for is precise because of their colonizing ways. They hide their reproductive queens deep within their tunnels, so everyday elimination methods won’t even affect the pests that are the main source of the problem. That’s why the first thing you should do if you notice any kind of infestation is call the professionals. Only trained experts can accurately identify and address the root of a pest problem.
What Attracts Ants To Homes?
Now, aside from being able to locate where ants are coming from, you also need to know how to identify attractants that might be making your home into a magnet for pest activity. The biggest factors to address around your own home are:
- Food: Smart food storage is the primary concern for keeping pests out, and ants can detect chemical traces of food from far away. Don’t leave food out and deep clean your home regularly.
- Trash: Another easy source of food for ants is the kind that’s found inside your trash can. Ants can easily access even secured bins with lids, thanks to their small size.
- Water: The other main attractant, besides food, is water. Ants need it to survive just like we do, so they are attracted to moist areas.
Be Bold: Take Care Of Pests Right Away
Even with relatively harmless ant species, you don’t want to simply leave them alone. All ants can lead to larger issues and no one likes seeing insects crawling around their home. That’s why it’s always better to be proactive than to simply wait for a problem to present itself before you worry about it. For overall protection from ants and other invasive pests, Bold Servicing is your best bet. We can inspect your home right away and make sure that ants aren’t around -- or that the factors that may attract them aren’t being addressed. Contact Bold Servicing today.