At one time or another, you have probably lived somewhere that you found was infested with ants. Whether it was an old home or the previous owners simply did not take care of a newer space, having ants crawling about is not something anyone wants to deal with. If this is something you are dealing with currently, we first should express our deepest condolences. We know how annoying an ant infestation can be. On the other hand, as Sacramento’s most trusted pest control company, rest assured that we know how to get rid of an ant issue. Continue reading below to learn the secrets that we use in our own homes and to also find out how Earthwise Pest Management can help you with your ant situation.
Knowing Your Enemy
Regardless of the species, all ants have several characteristics in common. They all have six legs, waists that are nipped, elbowed antennae and oval bellies, also known as gasters. If you have carpenter ants in your home, you will see big black ants that sometimes have a reddish hue. These types of ants are known to do a good amount of damage to wood, like termites and at certain times of the year will take flight to spawn. If you see tiny piles of sawdust on your floors or window seals, look above you. They could be digging their nests in your ceiling or an exposed beam.
Another type of ant that you may find in your home would be the odorous house ant. These are a much smaller species that range in color from black to brown. If they are crushed, they will give off a scent that smells similar to rotten coconut. These pests like to hide in the walls and floors of your home, waiting to find a sugary treat to consume. These ants also leave scented trails behind them as they travel so that their nestmates can find their way to a food source, so look for a uniform line of ants heading to a single location if you are trying to identify what has infested your home.
Lastly, pavement ants are the type that you most commonly will see crawling between the cracks in the sidewalk or on your driveway. While this is their most common habitat, you can also expect to find pavement ants in the walls, floors, and the foundation of your home. Their favorite foods are grease and meat.
Why Ants Move In
Each of these ant species likes human food, needs water to survive, and craves warmth every now and then. Carpenter ants, in particular, are drawn to rotting wood. However, most ant species simply look for any ant-sized food debris that they can carry away fairly easily.
How To Proceed
When you discover that you have an ant issue, there are many different options you have to choose from when it comes to getting rid of them. Below we have listed just a few.
- Trap foragers in a sticky honey jar that is nearly empty
- Track odorous ants back to their nest and use a vacuum to eliminate it. Then use soap and water to wipe down the ant trails to throw others off their scent.
- Deep clean your entire house, especially your kitchen to get rid of any and all food debris
Call The Professionals For The Fastest Service
While these at-home remedies may help you to eliminate your ant problem for a short period of time, we can guarantee that your infestation will return. The only way to get rid of ants completely is to hire a professional pest management company. This is especially the case if you are dealing with carpenter ants as there are no DIY extermination techniques that can get rid of these pests.
If you have an ant problem in your home and you want to solve it quickly and affordably, contact Earthwise Pest Management today! We would be happy to help you make your Sacramento home pest-free once again.
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