If you own a Pompano Beach home, pests are something you’ll likely have to deal with at one point or another. One of the most common household pests in the area is ants. Ants can quickly seem to take over a room or entire home, and they can be quite adept at hiding and difficult to get rid of and control.
When it comes to ants, how much of a problem they are and what risks they pose varies greatly depending on the specific species. Some ants, such as the carpenter ant, can do a great deal of property damage, and species like fire ants are known for their painful stings. All species of ant can contaminate food sources, but most of them don’t pose significant health risks to humans.
Knowing what different ants look like is the first step to controlling and preventing them. Here are some of the most common ant species in the are and how to tell them apart:
Carpenter ants: This species is one of the most invasive of all because they destroy property as they tunnel through wood to make nests. They are usually black or red, and they have heart-shaped heads with pincers.
Big-headed ants: This tiny species ranges in color from yellow to red to brown. Interestingly, these ants have two kinds of worker ants. The minor worker ants have proportional head and body sizes while the major worker ants have large, heart-shaped heads that are much bigger in proportion to their bodies.
Sugar ants: This is an umbrella term that refers to many kinds of small ant species that are commonly found in homes. These ants are attracted to the smells of sweets and sugary drinks. They are usually black.
Tropical fire ants: This species is reddish-brown, and the workers have large, square-shaped heads. While normally an outdoor pest, they can sometimes find their way near homes.
The First Step In Ant Prevention
Depending on the species, ant infestations can become a huge problem. Carpenter ants are particularly worrisome as they can end up costing you thousands of dollars for home repairs, but other species can also contaminate food and make enjoying your home difficult.
Knowing how to prevent ants can go a long way for overall effective ant control. While prevention steps can’t completely ensure that you’ll never have an ant problem, they can make your home less attractive to ants. Here are some of the best ways to remove factors that attract ants to your home in the first place:
Clean up food spills and crumbs quickly.
Store food in containers and with lids when possible.
Keep pet food stored in airtight containers.
Place securely-fitted lids on outdoor garbage cans.
Vacuum and sweep regularly.
Dispose of garbage often.
Regularly wipe down kitchens and other areas where ants hang out.
The Second Step In Ant Prevention
The first step in keeping ants out of your Pompano Beach home is to address things that attract ants. The second part of preventing ants involves making it harder for ants to find their way indoors. These steps will help you seal off entry points to keep ants outside.
Here are possible places where ants could be getting into your house:
Screens that have holes and tears
Doors that don’t have door sweeps installed
Small holes in walls
Cracks in your home’s foundation
Doors and windows that don’t have weather stripping
Doors and windows that aren’t fitted securely
The Best Way To Protect Your Home From Ants
Ants can be a difficult pest to get rid of on your own, so the most effective way to control an ant infestation is to contact the pest control experts at Pest-Aside. With over 25 years of experience in the Pompano Beach area, we can identify and remove ant infestations of any kind in your home. We are also happy to provide assistance and advice on prevention. Give us a call today to find out more or to get started with our reliable pest services.