Ants are a common pest in the United States, with nearly 12,000 species roaming the planet. They are not picky eaters and rely heavily on plants and animals for food. Ants can travel long distances foraging for the colony, making many foods in your home available. To keep ants outside, homeowners should clean up spilled food and drinks, rinse drink cans, keep food in tightly sealed containers, pick up pet's food at the end of the day, and identify ant species. An experienced pest control professional can tailor treatment plans to your specific ant species.
You've probably had ants in your house no matter where you live in the United States. In fact, with nearly 12,000 ant species roaming nearly every landmass on the planet, ants have been almost everywhere.
Ants, like many insects, are not picky eaters. Most rely heavily on plants and animals for food, and some are particularly drawn to sugary and greasy foods.
Ants can travel long distances foraging for the colony, making many foods in your home available. Ants, which normally nest outside, frequently enter homes in search of food, taking advantage of tiny cracks around doors, pipes, and windows.
"All ant species are difficult to control because they are highly adaptable and have strong survival instincts," explains Frank Meek, technical director for Orkin, Inc. "Unfortunately, no matter how clean our homes are, the natural conditions provide the ideal environment for ants."
Ants exhibit complex social behaviors and are well known for their intriguing communication methods. For example, when ants find food, they release chemicals called pheromones that help other ants find the feast.
Ants use pheromones to defend themselves. Fire ants, named for their fiery sting, emit alarm pheromones that signal nest mates to attack and defend their colony by stinging intruding insects, ground-nesting birds, and other wildlife repeatedly.
Fire ant stings on humans typically cause small blisters or pustules that itch and burn and are prone to infection. Severe reactions can include difficulty breathing, swelling, aggravated skin disorders, and, in extreme cases, death.
Fire ants aren't the only ants that can wreak havoc on your health and home. For example, Pharaoh ants can contaminate food and spread disease. Carpenter ants tunnel through and nest in wood, causing structural damage to your home.
According to Orkin experts, the following tips can help keep ants outside:
Clean up spilled food and drinks as soon as possible.
Before recycling, rinse drink cans.
Food should be kept in tightly sealed containers.
Pick up your pet's food at the end of the day. Pets should not be fed outside.
Identifying ant species is the first step in dealing with infestations, and homeowners should entrust this difficult but critical process to an experienced pest control professional. A licensed company will tailor treatment plans to your specific ant problem.
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