Ant Identification & Prevention

Ants are social insects that multiply quickly, live together in large groups, and are quite difficult to eradicate once they find their way to our properties.

We identify ants by their three distinct body segments, six legs, short antennae, and lack of wings. However, not all ants lack wings. Reproductive ants have wings. After swarming from a nest to find a mate, they will lose their wings and begin their new colony.

The most common types of ants to frequent our properties are Argentine, carpenter, and thief ants. Argentine ants live together in large colonies and travel together in wide trails. These little black ants, when crushed, produce a foul musty odor. Carpenter ants are large ants that will nest inside wood inside our homes; these pests can cause structural damage. Thief ants received their name because they like to nest close to or inside the nests of other ants and steal their food. Reach out to us today for help with pest control in Elk Grove, CA.

Though most ants don’t pose a significant danger to people or our properties, they invade in large numbers and are difficult to control and eliminate. Those facts alone should be reason enough to want to control these pests. Unfortunately, there are many other reasons you don’t want to live with ants. Ants harbor harmful bacteria and carry and transmit pathogens that can make people ill. As ants travel in and out of our homes, they contaminate food and surfaces. Carpenter ants nesting inside a house will eventually cause significant and costly structural damage.

Ants typically become a problem on our properties after first being attracted by food and moisture. Ants are omnivores and feed on various proteins, sweets, and carbohydrates. Most ants have high moisture needs, so a lack of properly functioning gutters, leaky pipes, and air conditioners can provide them with the water they need for survival. Trash cans, gardens, compost piles, pet food, and hummingbird feeders offer food sources and keep them coming back to your property.

Furthermore, a problem with ants will likely attract predatory pests like spiders to your property who want to use them as a food source.

The following are some of the most common signs that ants have established themselves on your property.

• You see large lines of ants consistently traveling to and from your home.
• You find several ant mounds and a lot of ant activity in your yard.
• You regularly find large numbers of ants traveling around your home, especially in kitchen or pantry areas.
• You spot winged ants or discarded piles of wings in or near your house.

There are many places on our properties ants will establish their nests. Outside, they nest in the soil, inside tree holes or tree stumps, under woodpiles, and with the cracks of cement or pavement.

Inside our homes, ants build nests behind wall voids, in crawl spaces, and within structural wood.

Getting rid of pests with the help of a professional is always the best choice. If ants become a problem on your property, call the pest control professionals at Bell Pest Control. We are committed to helping Elk Grove homeowners remove unwanted pests. Our professionals will perform comprehensive inspections and effective treatments using appropriate materials to remove ants from your house. We will then provide the recurring services necessary to prevent them from returning. Contact us today for more helpful information about ants in California and our effective ant control solutions.

We want to help you keep ants out of your Elk Grove home. Use the following ant prevention tips to avoid issues with these pests:

• Repair cracks and other defects in your home’s foundation and exterior walls.
• Repair torn screens and damaged weatherstripping.
• Install door sweeps to all exterior doors.
• Place mesh covers over vents entering your home.
• Store outdoor trash cans away from the outside of your home and keep tight-fitting lids on them.
• Pick up uneaten pet food.
• Maintain a clean kitchen by regularly sweeping the floor and washing dirty dishes.

Ants can be tricky pests to eliminate from our homes and difficult to keep away in the future. In addition to utilizing the prevention tips above, partner with us here at Bell Pest Control to avoid dealing with an ant infestation on your property.