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Ants: The Tiny, Roaming Pest
Ants are an incredibly common pest that can be quite a nuisance, and are difficult to eradicate. When they find a food source, they communicate its location with the other ants in their colony and begin one of their trademark foraging lines. Once that happens, you might notice a surface like a countertop or table becoming a highway for these tiny pests. Also, ants may show up in many other places in the home on their search for food, and because they’re so tiny, you might not notice them until they’re right next to you, or completely invading your home.
While ants are one of the most docile pests that you can find in your home, it’s easy to feel mentally overwhelmed by their presence. Also, ants are known to contaminate human food, and some species can be harmful to you and can cause property damage. For these reasons, it’s best to keep your home or business as ant-free as possible.
What Causes Ants?
Ants are attracted to food and moisture that they can carry back to their nests and use to feed their colonies. Since they eat many different types of food, they will venture just about anywhere in order to find it, from kitchens to bedrooms to bathrooms to even vehicles. Also, different types of ants are attracted to different kinds of foods and environments, so you may see various species depending on your location.
Other Factors that Attract Ants:
Different types of ants are attracted to different things. The list below are a few factors of the different factors that the different ants can be attracted to.
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Electronics & Wiring
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Moisture
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Pavement
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Landscaping
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Old wood
Why Are There Ants In My House?
Ant problems start outside the home. Many ants are attracted to sources of standing water and easily accessible food sources, like trash cans and other forms of debris. If your yard is messy, it may be a prime target for an ant colony to grow. As ant colonies grow, they usually need to start foraging for more food sources. This is usually when ants will venture inside to search of food, much to the dismay of homeowners.
Since they are so small and can fit through even the tiniest spaces and cracks, they can enter homes through pipes, gaps in walls, holes in doors, windows, and screens, and crevices in brick and wood alike. They are attracted to food waste, decay, moisture, and unsealed leftovers, so if they find discarded or poorly stored food or sources of excess moisture like drippy faucets or leaky pipes, you’re far more likely to find them in your home.
During an ant invasion, you’ll usually notice dozens of ants crawling on countertops and other surface areas where food is commonly placed. You may also notice them looking for water in your bathroom or kitchen sink. As ants settle in, they leave behind scent trails to mark paths to food sources which is why you’ll sometimes see them following one another in uniform lines. If you start to notice these kinds of behaviors, you should contact a pest control company.
How to Get Rid of Ants:
Treating ants is not easy. If ant invaders have entered your home, it’s best to contact a professional pest control company. Ant infestations are rarely eradicated through DIY solutions, as the source of the infestation, the nest, is what pest control technicians target with pesticides you can’t buy at the store. At Bug Shockers Pest Control, we use high-quality products and treat ant invasions at the source. Our team can help you get rid of ants and give you tips for how to prevent them in the first place. If you think you might have an ant problem, contact us today!