The Life Cycle Of Ants
All ants in Orange County move through four stages of life: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Until adulthood, each stage looks similar across species. Adult ants can vary widely, though, from species to species.
- Fire ants are dark reddish brown. They have stingers, and they will use them. Fire ants build mound nests outdoors, which usually look like piles of dirt.
- Argentine ants are dark brown or black and travel with many other ants in wide, dense trails.
- Rover can be dark brown or black. They have long legs and antennae and tend to run in erratic patterns.
- Carpenter ants can be red, black, brown, or a combination of colors. They chew through wood to build their nests.
Should I Worry If I Have Ants In My House?
Most ants are considered “nuisance pests,” which means they don’t cause harm to people or homes. However, because most ants eat human food, they can cause cross-contamination.
Carpenter ants can cause serious property damage as they chew through wooden structures. Unlike termites, carpenter ants don’t eat wood. They chew into it to build their nests. Spaces excavated by carpenter ants will have smooth walls like they’ve been sandpapered.
Fire ants have stingers that they will use if they feel threatened. That means fire ant removal should be done extremely carefully to avoid stings.
Pharaoh ants spread multiple diseases, especially in medical facilities. These include salmonellosis, staphylococcus (staph infections), clostridium (which can cause botulism and tetanus), and streptococcus (strep throat infections).
What Attracts Ants To A Home?
Ants typically come inside a house looking for food, water, and shelter. Ant prevention should focus on eliminating your home as an option for these four things.
- Repair issues causing excess moisture: Leaky pipes and extra humidity can attract ants for two reasons. First, it provides a water source for them. Second, it softens and damages the wood, which makes it ideal for carpenter ants looking for a nesting location. Fix any damaged pipes, repair faulty fans, install a dehumidifier, or whatever it takes to make your home less of an ideal environment for ants.
- Seal cracks in the walls: Ants are tiny. They can get into your home through small gaps. And all it takes is one entry point for an infestation to begin. Avoid this by sealing over any cracks or holes in your walls and foundation—interior and exterior. Keep ants from entering your home in the first place, and you can prevent infestations.
- Make your food inaccessible: Food stored in solid, airtight containers is unavailable to ants. They won’t be able to smell it or access it. Plus, cleaning up any spills immediately would be best as an additional deterrent.
- Dispose of garbage properly: Food waste is just as appealing to ants as food is. You can keep ants out and away from your home by ensuring all trash is disposed of properly, including tightly fitting lids over trash cans.
Ant control isn’t easy to do on your own. Call a professional pest control company to ensure the job gets done if you suspect an infestation.
How Can I Get Rid Of Ants Permanently?
Admiral Pest Control offers comprehensive home pest control in Orange County. We perform healthy home inspections that allow us to understand the issue before we begin treatment. We use high-quality treatments designed to eliminate ants and keep them from returning. If you’re looking for ant control in Orange County, look no further than Admiral Pest Control. Contact us today to learn more about our options and to request a free quote or inspection.
