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Ants:
For many homeowners,
few things are as pesky as when ants invade the home. Streaming in by
the hundreds, or even thousands, to invade pet dishes, countertops, tables
and appliances, ant infestations can quickly spiral out of control and
become a source of frustration, sanitation concerns and even embarrassment.
Sugar Ants
While there
are many varieties of ants, small black ants (such as Pavement
Ants and Odorous
House Ants) which many frequently refer to generally as
"sugar ants" are common kitchen and pantry invaders. These miniature
armies are attracted to food sources such as pet foods, grease, counter
and floor crumbs, along with the ready supply of water found in most kitchens.
Carpenter
Ants
Other common home invaders are Carpenter
Ants. These larger ants (1/4 to 1/2-inch long ants with
black, reddish, or brownish bodies) burrow holes in wood to nest and,
like termites, can do SERIOUS structural damage to your home. If you suspect
that you may have carpenter ants—see ants, hear rustling behind walls
or inside wooden sills, moulding or joists, or find small piles of sawdust
around door frames or windows—it is important to call us for an inspection
right away so that the infestation can be confirmed and treated.
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CAUTION: if you discover what appear to be winged, flying ants in or around your home, beware—you may actually have termites! See Swarming Ants or Termites below, and be sure to check out our Termites link for additional information). |
Depending on the extent of the infestation, ants can be stubborn and may require follow-up treatments to achieve effective control. Because the key to success is often a combination of factors such as correctly identifying the type of ants you're dealing with, identifying points of entry, nesting areas, conducive conditions, and knowledge about the various types of treatment options available, you're best bet for controlling ants is to enlist the services of a professional pest management company like American Sentry Pest Control.
Call
today for a FREE pest inspection—703-361-6060.
Our trained
inspectors will thoroughly inspect your home and offer an effective, and
affordable treatment plan to best meet your individual needs. As always
with American Sentry Pest Control, there'll be no pressure or obligation
to buy—just honest answers to your pest control questions, and affordable,
quality service you can depend on.
Prevention Tips: Here's a few tips to help prevent or minimize ant infestations:
- Don't leave food (including pet food) exposed—store in sealed containers or plastic bags.
- Keep kitchen area clean—regularly clean floors and wipe down appliances, counters and table tops.
- Remove garbage from the home regularly.
- Keep trees and shrubs trimmed away from the home.
Swarming Ants orTermites?
Homeowners often confuse flying reproductive termites for flying ants—a potentially costly mistake. Left unchecked, termite infestations can literally compromise the structural integrity of your home. Because flying ants and termites do look a lot alike, it is important to correctly identify these invaders if you spot them in or around your home. Unfortunately, to the untrained eye, this can be quite difficult—but there are distict characteristics that you can look for (see below). Of course, there's no need to risk your home on uncertainty... American Sentry Pest Control will be happy to positively identify swarming ants and termites for you during a free, no obligation pest inspection. Call today—all you have to lose are the pests!
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Swarming
Ant (left):
Elbowed antennae, narrow waist and long legs, front
wings larger than hind wings. |
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