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Ant Control 101: A Helpful Guide For Aiken Homeowners
August 5, 2024
No homeowner wants to discover ants in their home. These unwanted insects can leave you feeling like your house is under attack, and finding ways to deal with these pests can quickly become a priority. But if you’ve never dealt with an ant problem, you’ll need to know how to tell if it’s time to schedule an appointment for professional pest control in Aiken. Here’s what you need to know about these annoying pests.
The Life Cycle Of Ants: How Ant Colonies Develop
Ants are social insects living in large colonies with hundreds, if not thousands, of other ants. Ant colonies can develop quickly when a newly matured queen flies away from her old colony and finds a male ant to mate with. Once she does, she picks a site for her new colony, excavates the area, and establishes a nest to lay her eggs. Once the eggs mature, they hatch into larvae, gradually developing into mature ants.
These ants become the workers of the colony and go in search of food. The queen will continue to mate and lay eggs to grow the colony. The larger the colony is, the more likely you are to develop an ant infestation in and around your home.
Ant Problems: Health Concerns And Property Damage
The specific damage that ants can cause depends on the types of ants you have on your property. Here are a few ways different ant species can cause concerns for homeowners in the Aiken area.
- Carpenter ants: Carpenter ants can bore into wooden supports in your home, damage furniture, and hurt your landscaping.
- Fire ants: Fire ants can sting if provoked and may cause an allergic reaction in those sensitive to their venom.
- Thief ants/sugar ants: These ants actively feed on the food you keep in your home and may contaminate the food you store in cabinets.
- Acrobat ants: These ants can bite when they feel threatened and may strip insulation from electrical wires, often resulting in short circuits and property damage.
Keep in mind that these are just a few ways ants can impact your home and your well-being. If you think you have an ant problem on your property, the best thing you can do is schedule a professional ant control appointment. This way, you’ll keep your home safer for longer.
Ant Prevention Is Key: Effective Tips And Tricks
Though professional treatments are the best way to deal with active infestations, you can do a few things to discourage ants from making their way into your home. Here are a few easy ant prevention tips to help you get started:
- Deal with moisture issues resulting from leaks around your home as soon as possible.
- Seal cracks and gaps around your home’s exterior.
- Pick up spills and messes, and sweep up crumbs and food residue as soon as you find it.
- Store food in airtight containers whenever possible.
- Keep your trash area clean and take the trash out regularly.
- Keep firewood away from your home.
- Keep tree branches and vegetation properly trimmed and away from the side of your house.
These tips can help you keep your home ant-free between professional appointments so you and your loved ones can enjoy your space in comfort.
Professional Ant Control: A Great Way To Keep Ants Out For Good
Prevention can help keep future infestations at bay, but it’s not always enough to keep ants out of your house. The best way to protect the things you love most is to partner with professional ant pest control services and let an experienced technician treat any active infestations you may have. If you have an ant problem, contact JPS to schedule an appointment and to learn more about our residential and commercial pest control services in Aiken.