The behavior and dangers of ants vary based on the species that has infested your property. Some species like acrobat ants, ghost ants, odorous house ants, and rover ants are more a nuisance than dangerous. You will regret crushing odorous house ants due to the smell they omit and species like fire ants, carpenter ants, pharaoh ants, and crazy ants pose dangers to people. Specific actions and dangers from these species include:
- Will swarm and attack if threatened as they are aggressive and easily disturbed
- Venom can cause allergic reactions
- Damaging to crops and plants
- Damage a property structure by tunneling through the wood to create galleries and nests
- Spreading salmonella, streptococcus, and other pathogens
- Contaminating of IV bags in hospitals
- Invade electrical equipment in large numbers, which can cause shortages and expensive damage
- Contaminate food and surfaces with bacteria and pathogens
But no matter the species, no ants are welcome in any home. And all species will be difficult to get rid of once they make their way inside. When it comes to ants, prevention is crucial because of how extensive an infestation can become. As a Plano resident, you should know what attracts ants to your property, how to prevent them, and what professionals can do to help.
Factors That Attract Ants
The factors that attract ants can vary depending on the species, but like almost all other pests, ants are looking for three things, food, water, and shelter. You can attract ants to your home if you have:
- a moisture problem including leaks
- clutter both indoors and outdoors
- food that is easy to access, including food waste
Five Ant Prevention Tips
There are five main components to preventing ants. By implementing these tips, you can reduce or eliminate the factors attracting ants to your property in the first place.
1. Maintain Your Yard:
- Remove dead trees and stumps
- Use gravel barriers between the foundation of your home and much and grass
- Keep your lawn and foliage trimmed
- Remove leaf piles and other debris
2. Maintain Your Home:
- Remove clutter
- Sweep and vacuum regularly
3. Seal Your Home:
- Install weather stripping, door sweeps, and fix screens that are torn- make sure they fit properly
- Inspect the exterior walls and foundation of your home for cracks and gaps
- Search for any openings along the roofline
4. Remove Food Sources:
- Store food properly; air-tight containers are best
- Pick up fallen fruit and vegetables in your yard
- Pick up pet food at night
- Take out the garbage often
- Rinse cans and bottles before recycling
- Use garbage bins that have tight-fitting lids
5. Remove Water Sources:
- Fix any leaks and wood that might be water-damaged
- Clean out gutters and ensure they are functioning properly
- Address excess moisture issues in areas such as the basement, garage, and crawl space using dehumidifiers and proper ventilation
Unfortunately, prevention is never 100%, especially with pests like ants, which will find a way inside if scouting members find food. This is why the best prevention tip we can offer you is ongoing preventative treatments from professionals.
Professional Ant Assistance
Like prevention, the best form of ant control comes from professional assistance. Over-the-counter products just don’t get the job done as experts do. Store-bought products can make an infestation worse.
If you are in the Plano area, contact the pros at All-Safe Pest & Termite. We will not only remove a current infestation but keep another infestation from happening in the future. Don’t wait, call us today!