For Wilmington property owners, no other pest exemplifies a nuisance more than ants. These small insects crawl over everything and actively seek to join you in eating your food.
While some ants may be closer to a nuisance, others represent a real threat, which is why ant control can be tricky. The most common species in the Wilmington area are:
- Pharaoh Ants: This ant seeks moisture and prefers to be indoors. Thanks to nesting behind baseboards or under floors, they can cause some minor property damage. Ultimately, they’re closer to annoyances than anything else.
- Fire Ants: These ants prefer the outdoors and are quite aggressive. They can and will bite and sting people who get too close to their colonies. Plus, they can signal other ants, which only makes the confrontation worse.
- Odorous House Ants: The most common ant you’ll see is the odorous house ant. This species likes to seek areas with moisture especially those that provide access to sweet drinks and food.
- Argentine Ants: This ant prefers to be outside in damp soil, but they will also nest behind your walls and large appliances if they make it indoors.
It’s important to remember that just because most ants are harmless, that doesn’t mean we want them inside the house. Ants come in large numbers and multiple colonies, which allows them to quickly overrun an area if left unchecked.
Some Tips To Help You Out
Ants are extremely social, which means they will always be a part of a colony. Ant colonies are efficient with every single ant having a role to fill to keep it running. One of the more important tasks is to locate food and water, which sends them on journeys that can end in your home. Adhere to the following tips to have a chance at keeping ants out of your home:
- Food: Ants like your food as much as you do. When you don’t store the food properly and wipe away the crumbs, it’s free advertising for ants. Don’t be that property owner. Instead, put food in a sealed container and wipe things down regularly to limit how awesome your home seems to ants.
- Water: Ants need water to survive. When they find water sources in your home, they feel like they found paradise. They also can take water back to the colony while leaving a scent trail that helps other ants make a return trip. Guard against pipe leaks, roof leaks, and other sources of water to keep this from happening to you.
- Trash management: Ants like your trash as well, which is why they’ll get into it if you don’t practice good trash management. Close trash bags, shut trash can lids, and dispose of the trash far from your home to keep the ants away.
There are also preventative measures you can take to keep the ants from getting inside your building in the first place. That’s why you should:
- Inspect the screens: Warmer months means open windows. When your screens are compromised, ants can slip inside all too easily. Check on them regularly to ensure you’re not letting ants get inside.
- Seal things up: Since ants are small, they can fit into the smallest of holes and cracks. For this reason, you should inspect the perimeter and seal these entry points with silicone caulk to ensure ants can’t get inside this way.
Taking Out The Ants With Jay Taylor Exterminating
With over 75 years of experience in pest control, our team at Jay Taylor Exterminating is here for you to ensure pest problems are a thing of the past. We start with a free estimate so you can get the answers you need before treatment begins. Once you’re ready, we implement the pest control plan that is best for you, your family, your pets, and the environment.
Do you need ant control services? Then give us a call to speak with one of our agents about our professional pest control options or fill out our online form to schedule your free inspection.