Ants can be troublesome if they enter your home. Depending on the type, they can contaminate food and cause damage to your property. These insects live in colonies that number in the thousands, which can make a seemingly small problem quite serious. Once ants get into your home, it can be hard to get them out. Fortunately, our Plano pest control company has the expertise to rid your home of these dangerous insects. Keep reading to learn more about the type of ants you might encounter and effective ant control solutions.
The Many Types Of Ants That Can invade Your Home
Several different types of ants enter homes in Texas. These insects range in color and size, allowing you to identify the type of ant. The appearance of one ant might not seem important, but since they live in colonies, one arrival means there are likely thousands somewhere on your property.
Some of the common ants that you might find in Plano include:
Fire ants: Fire ants range from 1/8 to 3/8 of an inch, are dark reddish-brown, and have a stinger. Carpenter ants: Carpenter ants are 1/2 to 5/8 of an inch and are either red, black, brown, or a combination of red and black. Acrobat ants: Acrobat ants are 1/8 of an inch and are light brown to black. When observing them from above, they appear to have a heart-shaped abdomen. Pharaoh ants: Pharaoh ants are 1/16 of an inch and are pale yellow or reddish with a darker abdomen. Crazy ants: Crazy ants are 1/16 to 1/8 of an inch, dark brown to black with a gray sheen, and have longer legs and antennae than most ants. Odorous house ants: Odorous house ants are 1/16 to 1/8 of an inch and are either brown or black. They emit a rotten coconut-like scent when crushed or threatened. Rover ants: Rover ants are 1/16 of an inch and black, dark brown, or pale yellow with long hairs on their bodies.
Finding ants in your home is an indication more are nearby. In this case, you should call professionals to resolve the situation.
How Dangerous Is It To Have Ants In My House?
The problems caused by ants depend on the type. Some ants are no more than a nuisance, contaminating food or surfaces around your home. However, others can cause medical problems or damage to your property. Fire ant stings can cause allergic reactions in those allergic to insect venom. Carpenter ants in your house will feast on wood, weakening the structural integrity of the building over time. Acrobat ants can strip the insulation from electrical wiring, causing short circuits.
Why Are Ants Taking Over My Home?
Most ants are workers and search for food and water sources for the colony. They typically nest outside but enter homes in search of these sources. The workers then enter in an orderly fashion to carry food back to the nest. Removing open food and water sources is the best way to keep ants out of your home. Without food and water available, the ants will look elsewhere. If they’re already in your home, you’ll need effective ant control.
Contact The Pros About Ants Around Your Home
Once ants enter your home, they can quickly become a problem. At All-Safe Pest & Termite, our technicians provide treatments to remove ants in your yard or home. We’ll inspect your property to determine the necessary treatment, treat all ant colonies, and follow up to ensure they don’t return. Call us today if you need ant control service near your home.