You can’t always judge a menace by its size, and perhaps nowhere is this more apropos than in the case of ants.
There are more than 12,000 species of ants, but the ones you’re most likely to encounter are house ants (about 1/16 to 1/8 inch) and carpenter ants (5/8 inch).
When they join forces—as they’re apt to do—a trail of ants can leave behind a trail of problems. Let the most trusted and reliable pest management company in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island—Bain Pest Control Service—enlighten you about why you should treat this diminutive insect as a king-sized threat to your health and finances.
- Some ants can trigger asthma and allergies. Researchers say that pharaoh ants, in particular, can cause asthma and allergies—a cause for alarm for everyone in a home but a particular hazard for people who already suffer from upper respiratory problems. Ants could make matters much worse. Yellow pharaoh ants prefer the warmth of the indoors and can most often be found near bathroom and kitchen faucets, where they seek water. Although it’s not clear exactly why ants can trigger asthma and allergies, research has shown that eliminating them should be of the highest priority. Unless the entire colony is eliminated, ants will just move to another location or split into several new colonies in your home.
- Ants could spread germs, especially if they get into (and ruin) your food. Various disease-causing organisms—including E. coli, streptococcus, shigella, salmonella, and staphylococcus (many of which are found in feces)—have been found on some species of ants, an expert at the University of California-Berkeley says. Although the risk is greater in developing countries, it is still not a health risk worth taking.
- Many ant species bite and sting people, which is particularly annoying to small children.
- Tenacious species of ants can burrow into and destroy your home’s wiring. Drawn to warmth, a large infestation of ants can short-circuit wiring and cause blackouts and even fires.
- Carpenter ants hollow out wood to make nesting sites. Although ants are not as destructive as termites, they can cause serious damage to walls and woodwork. Like all ants, carpenter ants are attracted to moisture and to wood that is softened by moisture or decay.
For Maximum Ant Control, Make Your Home a Hostile Environment
Leaving leaky pipes and faucets in a state of disrepair is like rolling out a welcome mat for ants. Instead, get the upper hand with ant control and create a hostile environment for them by:
- Promptly cleaning up standing moisture and fixing leaks.
- Storing food in airtight containers.
- Never leaving dirty dishes on the counter.
- Cleaning up food crumbs from counters and floors.
- Sealing gaps around vents, utility lines, and other points of entry.
- Keeping tree branches and other plants and shrubs from making contact with the exterior of your home.
- Never stacking firewood directly up against the side or back of your home. Ants like to build nests in firewood—and then they can make the easy jump to inside your home.
- Cleaning up after a trail of ants with soapy water, which will erase their “odor trail” and reduce the chances of a larger infestation.
- Replacing any moist wood around the exterior perimeter of your home.
Call the Professionals at Bain
Despite your best efforts at ant control, you might soon feel outnumbered—and unwilling to take chances with the many threats that ants pose. In this case, call the pest management experts at Bain Pest Control Service.
We wouldn’t dare judge this menace by its size, and we’ll come armed with the ant control tools necessary to eliminate your ant problem.