Given their tiny size, it is incredibly easy for ants to find a way inside any Warminster home or business. All it takes is a miniature crack or crevice. The ant's superior sense of smell, which is always attuned to finding new food sources, does the rest.
People unwittingly help ant infestations by storing food on the kitchen counter or forgetting to clean up crumbs on the dining room table. When ants are spotted in the kitchen or pantry, people may react with panic as they wonder how to get rid of these invaders.
The carpenter ant, odorous ant, citronella ant, acrobat ant, pavement ant and black ant all may seek shelter and food in people's homes. However, there is good news because it is possible for people to make some lifestyle changes and repairs to the property that will help to protect them against pest infestations of all descriptions.
With the help of licensed pest management professionals, more families are able to live without worrying about unwanted guests.
WHAT DO ANTS LOOK LIKE?
Most carpenter ant workers are about one-quarter of an inch long while the colony's queen may be as large as three-quarters of an inch. There are several sub-species of carpenter ant, so coloration can be varied. Black is the most common color, but brown, red and multi-color combinations also may be seen.
Odorous house ants are small, with many of them reaching just one-eighth of an inch. As they give off a foul stench when crushed, these black or brown ants are fairly easy to identify.
Worker citronella ants are yellow and have complicated antennae that are divided into 12 segments. Under a microscope, it is possible to see erect hairs on the abdomen, thorax and head. Reproductive swarmers of this species are a little larger and have grayish wings. When threatened or crushed, this species gives off a distinctive odor like lemon verbena.
Acrobat ants may be identified by the unusual sheen that decorates their bodies. Usually black or brown, some members of the species also may appear light red. When this creature is disturbed, it lifts its abdomen over its head, thereby earning its name. Under magnification, it may be possible to see a few hairs on the head.
Dark brown or black pavement ants feature longitudinal ridges on the head and thorax. The complicated antennae include 12 segments that are topped by a club in three segments. These ants are equipped with a stinger, but they are so tiny that they are no real threat to humans.
At only one-sixteenth of an inch long, it can be difficult to distinguish characteristics of the little black ant without a microscope. Although "black" is included in the species' name, it is not unusual for some individual ants to actually be brown. They have shiny bodies that may make them easier to see and identify.
WHERE DO ANTS LIVE?
Carpenter ants may establish parent and satellite nests. Frequently, the parent nest is located outdoors in a moist, woody location like firewood, tree stumps, fallen trees or landscaping timbers. Satellite colonies may be established indoors if sufficient dampness is found in places like beneath bathtubs and sinks.
Similarly, odorous ants may live outdoors or inside. The soil beneath mulch, stones or boards may provide the ideal habitat. Indoors, they seek wall voids or look for spaces behind cabinets or beneath floors.
Fields, pastures and forests offer ideal habitats for citronella ants, but so do lawns and gardens. Colonies may be found adjacent to foundations as well. Underground areas protected by a large rock or a concrete slab are other options.
Acrobat ant colonies may be found in trees. Nonetheless, these ants do not damage the wood, preferring to use holes left behind by other species. Because they like to nest in wood that is rotting or damp, homes with water leaks are particularly vulnerable.
Pavement ants look for ground with little vegetation when they establish nests. Accordingly, they prefer urban and suburban areas. Nests are established next to and beneath concrete slabs.
Little black ants prefer to live outside, choosing protected, dark spots near or beneath rocks, decaying trees or logs. Gardens, lawns and cement cracks also are good habitat. When living indoors, this species nests beneath carpeting, behind baseboards, within woodwork or in wall voids.
WHAT DO ANTS EAT?
Most ants eat a diet of protein and sugar. Even carpenter ants, which many people mistakenly believe to eat wood, stick to this straightforward diet. Living and dead insects are excellent sources of protein. Honeydew is the preferred sweet food when living in the wild, though some ants also may eat the secretions of certain plants or seeds. Anything from pet food to honey, syrup, peanut butter and meat may be consumed when ants make their way into human homes. Greasy and oily foods also may attract these pests.
DAMAGE CAUSED BY ANTS
Local ant species tend not to be destructive. Ant colonies may cause paved surfaces to crack or settle with their nesting behavior, and it is possible that ant colonies found inside structures may be responsible for damage. It can be challenging to locate and remove colonies that are located in wall voids, behind cupboards or beneath kitchen appliances.
Nonetheless, homeowners are cautioned to recall that carpenter ants are destructive when they nest in houses. Usually not as destructive as termites, carpenter ants still can cause structural instability.
ARE ANTS AGGRESSIVE?
Ants have developed many adaptations for a subterranean lifecycle. When they do emerge above the ground's surface, they are adept at finding dark places in which to live.
DO ANTS CARRY DISEASE?
Food poisoning is the most direct threat to human health that is connected to ant infestations. Worker ants are responsible for constant foraging, requiring them to travel wherever their powerful sense of smell takes them.
Frequently, they forage in places filled with bacteria, toxins and other contaminants. These substances are then distributed on food preparation surfaces, kitchen utensils and in food that is intended for people to eat. Severe illnesses may ensue in homes where infestations are ongoing.
HOW TO DETECT ANTS
Signs of an ant infestation include:
• Ants found indoors • Stored food shows signs of tampering • Soil piles next to paved surfaces • Spring brings swarms of insects
HOW TO PREVENT ANTS
To help prevent ant issues the following steps should be taken:
• Eliminate dampness in the home • Fix plumbing leaks • Use caulk to seal cracks and fissures • Prevent plants from touching buildings • Remove stumps and wood scraps
HOW WE TREAT FOR ANTS
Ants are the number one pest control issue and can prove virtually impossible for home and business owners to solve on their own. Ending an ant infestation typically requires proper ant identification, locating and destroying the nest or colony, as well as the use and application of specialized products.
As such, it is not advisable for property owners to attempt to eradicate an ant infestation without assistance from a professional pest control provider.
