Ants are one of the most frequent pest invaders in Wilmington, North Carolina, and across the country. While they might be small, many property owners will end up waging war against these difficult pests. Most homes and businesses will deal with ants at one point or another, and some of these ants can even pose health risks.
In order to help you protect your property from ant issues, we’ve put together a guide to the basics of ants and ant control in Wilmington.
Ant Species In Wilmington
First of all, it’s important to know the main ant species around Wilmington. While there are dozens of species, the ones that most often get around homes and businesses are odorous house ants, Pharaoh ants, Argentine ants, and fire ants:
- Odorous house ants are tiny black species that emit the smell of rotten coconuts when crushed but are mostly harmless.
- Pharaoh ants are an extremely invasive yellow-brown ant that is known for their ability to spread disease.
- Argentine ants aren’t dangerous, but they are very difficult to remove. They are usually dark brown in color.
- Fire ants are known for the painful bites and stings they can inflict. They are normally found outdoors and are reddish-orange to reddish-brown.
Can You Remove Ants On Your Own?
Since ants are such a frequent problem, many property owners try to remove them on their own using things like over-the-counter traps and sprays. However, these methods aren’t very effective most of the time.
Ants can be a very difficult pest to remove because their colonies can contain thousands of individuals and sprawl throughout a building or underground. Also, some species, such as Pharaoh ants, have more than one queen which makes it even harder to get rid of the entire infestation.
While many DIY methods might remove some of the ants, the colony will usually survive and come back just as strong. And, some options can be dangerous especially if you have children or pets in the house.
The Easiest And Safest Way To Control Ant Infestations
While it’s nearly impossible to completely prevent and remove ant invaders on your own, there is one safe and effective way to keep these pesky pests away for good. The experts at Jay Taylor Exterminating have over 80 years of experience dealing with all kinds of ant species that invade area residences.
We start by conducting an initial inspection of your home and working with you to figure out problem areas where ants could be gaining access. Then, we apply treatment to both the exterior and interior of the building.
Next, we provide ongoing visits to make sure that no ants return. We re-apply treatment and pay close attention to entry points like doors and windows. Plus, we offer a pest-free guarantee, so if you see ants between visits, we will come right away to get rid of them.
Some Ant Prevention Tips
If you haven't noticed any ants around your property, now is a great time to take steps to keep them away. While ants can be particularly tricky to prevent because of their small size, by following these steps and working with Jay Taylor Exterminating, you can deter them. Here are some simple steps to follow:
- Place lids on all trash cans and take out the trash often.
- Keep kitchen spaces maintained by cleaning floors, wiping up food and drink spills immediately, and doing dishes often.
- Store pet food in airtight containers.