Pest control in Richmond is necessary for ants; they aren’t as easy to ignore as people think. They harbor germs that may lead to illness. Moreover, specific subtypes have unique risks. Case in point, wood will be wrecked by carpenter ants. Bites from odorous house ants in the city can be particularly painful. Pharaoh ants are known for being hardy.
Ant infestations are hard to surmount for many reasons. First, their colonies are sizable. Second, they can get in tiny holes. Third, they nestle in hard to reach places. Learn now what the best ant control solutions are. Allied Termite and Pest Control Of Greater Richmond can assist you.
What Types Of Ants Typically Enter Homes?
Pharaoh, carpenter, and odorous house ants are three of the common ant species in the area. Pharaoh ants are 0.12 of an inch long. Red and black marks adorn the abdomens of these yellow-brown bugs. You’ll likely see them around pipe chases, pantries, and food packages. A major infestation sign is coming across their amber-colored workers.
Carpenter ants are 0.25 to 0.50 of an inch long. Their shading varies as much as their length, though most are black. A few are tan, yellow, red, orange, reddish-black, or brown. Wings are on the bodies of reproductive swarmers. Your home can become unstable with these pests around; they’ll make tunnels and nests in wood. Not only will they damage lumber, they’ll harm trees and logs too. Look out for flying swarmers; that’s how you’ll know there’s an issue with carpenter ants. Hearing soft noises from inside walls, discovering swells of wood shavings, and having hollow-sounding structures are additional hints.
Odorous house ants in the city are 0.12 of an inch long. You can expect to find the black or brown critters near sources of humidity and moisture, such as heaters and water utilities. Other attraction points for these insects are floor crevices, paneling, structural voids, and carpeting. Their bites cause mild pain. If you notice one crawling about, there’s an active nest. A rotten coconut scent lifts from them when they’re killed.
Ant Infestations Can Cause Major Problems In Your Home
Bacterial cells are all through the waste and saliva of ants. It’s on their skin as well. That said, the chances of your food and surfaces being contaminated are high. You might end up with salmonella, E. coli, or a similar illness.
Easy And Effective Ant Prevention Tips
Many “do it yourself” ant control solutions involve combining organic components with water to create a spray. People will often use:
Citrus
Borax
Essential oils
Coffee grounds
Vinegar
These avenues will produce moderate results, if any at all. Performing preventative tasks is a better choice:
Close up cracks in utilities, foundations, windows, and doors.
Have leaks and moisture defects fixed as soon as possible.
Verify that door sweeps and window screens are in good condition.
Exhaustively clean the kitchen and wash dishes frequently.
Get food spills up immediately, and regularly remove garbage.
Use secure containers for food and trash storage.
Vacuum carpeting on a routine basis.
Distance wood and plants from the property. Keep loose wood, like fire logs, off of soil.
Mow the lawn and trim greenery often.
While these measures seem like chores, it can reduce ant populations.
Total Ant Control For Richmond Homes
Once more, “at home” techniques are too weak for infestations. Commercial insecticides don’t improve the odds. Each species has its own response to treatments, and shelf goods do nothing to address passageways. Besides, these items can be expensive and toxic. We at Allied Termite and Pest Control Of Greater Richmond have industrial-grade options that are affordable and safe. Call us today!