Ant Identification
What are ants?
Ants are mainly known as nuisance pests that we don’t want living in our yards and homes. The more than 12,000 species of ants living worldwide do play an important part in our ecosystem, however. As they move through the earth, they turn and aerate the soil, they feed on decaying debris and act as a food source for many other living creatures.
The ant’s body has three different body parts (head, thorax, and abdomen). The thorax is where the six legs attach to the body, and the abdomen is where the vital organs are. They also have powerful mandibles that allow them to bite and cut their food into pieces small enough to carry.
With so many species of ants living across the world and throughout the southern portion of California, it is essential to partner with a professional to accurately determine which ants are nesting on your property. Each species has its own unique needs and challenges, and you must address these to ensure their complete elimination.
Some of the most common species living in the San Diego County area include:
- Argentine ants
- Small black ants
- Odorous house ants
- Pharaoh ants
- Pavement ants
- Fire ants
Are ants dangerous?
The biggest concern when it comes to most species of ants is their ability to contaminate food and surfaces with the bacteria and parasites they carry on their bodies. As ants travel and feed outside, they come into a lot of contact with bacteria. They then bring that bacteria inside with them as they forage for food and create nesting sites inside our San Diego homes.
Other problems ants cause, depending on the exact species, include stinging, biting, and structural damage by infesting things like structural timbers and insulation boards. They may also cause electrical shortages and damage to electrical equipment.
Why Do I Have an Ant Problem?
An ant colony’s constant search for food to feed its thousands of members prompts these pests to find their way onto our properties. Worker ants set out from the nest each day to gather food, leaving a pheromone trail to help other ants find a way to the food sources. Ants work together to ensure the colony’s success, which is why if you see a couple of ants, know there are hundreds or thousands more nearby.
Things that attract foraging ants to a property include:
- Open trash or recycling containers
- Pet food
- Grill areas or outdoor eating areas
- Gardens
- Compost piles
Once ants are comfortable foraging for food in your yard, it won’t be long until they make their way inside through any small openings they discover in your home’s exterior. If your home offers them a suitable place to nest, it is not uncommon for the ants to create a satellite nest to help expand the colony in an area providing them with reliable food sources.
When pests invade your home or business, you don’t need empty promises; you need proven results. At Allswell, we train our technicians to meet the highest standards set forth by the Pest Licensing Board so that you receive the service you need. We also have a 100% satisfaction guarantee, which leaves you with nothing to worry about and a pest-free home or business to enjoy.
Where Will I Find Ants?
Ants live in a variety of places, both inside and outside of our homes. Outside, they nest:
- In the ground.
- Under fallen logs.
- In tree stumps.
- Under piles of brush and other debris.
- In the soil next to sidewalks, driveways, and foundations.
Ants that have found a way into our homes and decide to build a nest usually place it in a secluded location near moisture sources. These areas include wall voids, under floors, above ceilings, and sometimes in things like heating units or air conditioners.
How do I get rid of ants?
In order to eliminate ants from your home and property, every single ant and nest must be found and treated. For the most effective ant control solutions possible, turn to the San Diego pest control experts at Allswell Here. Using the most current technology and pest control methods, our professionals provide peace of mind and a home or business free of ants and many other pests. For more information about the ant control services we provide throughout Southern California, reach out to us at Allswell!
How can I prevent ants in the future?
Prevent problems with ants by implementing proven solutions through our effective pest control services. Also, use the following tips to prevent issues with ants in your San Diego County, CA home:
- Eliminate the cracks and crevices in your home’s exterior ants could use as a pathway into your house.
- Rake away leaf litter and mulch ants could move through unseen in and out of your home.
- Remove food sources that attract ants. Keep lids on trash cans and recycling bins, regularly harvest gardens, pick up uneaten pet food, and store food in the fridge or containers with airtight lids.
- Have good sanitation habits. Wash dirty dishes each evening, regularly vacuum floors, and wipe down counters daily.
- Reduce excess moisture by repairing leaky pipes, drippy air conditioners, and ventilate crawlspaces.
Learn more about our home pest control and commercial pest control services.
