Are all ants dangerous?
Most ant species are considered nuisances. Nuisances, as opposed to pests, do not cause damage to the home or pose any threat to the inhabitants, but they can be annoying or unsightly when they are in the home. On top of that, most ant species will not build colonies indoors, and they will only enter the home looking for food. Some ant species however can be quite dangerous, and others can cause thousands of dollars of damage in the home if they are left unchecked.
Why do I have an ant infestation?
Ants will enter the home for two reasons. First, they are looking for food. This type of infestation is temporary, and the ants will leave as soon as they no longer have access to food sources indoors. When this happens, it does not necessarily indicate that there is a colony indoors. In fact, in most situations, it’s likely that there isn’t one. However, you have to be careful about carpenter ants. Carpenter ants are quite large, at about half an inch in length, and they infest the wood of the home. If you see one of these ants foraging for food indoors, you should call over a pest control pro right away. In the second situation, the ants will start an infestation when they are looking for shelter. This is when they will build their colonies inside the home, and when you will need the help of a pest control pro to get rid of them.
Which ant species should I be worried about?
Most ant species are completely harmless, but there are a few that will cause damage to the home or harm the inhabitants. In these categories you have the carpenter ants, fire ants, and odorous house ants. Some other species that may cause less serious issues are pavement ants and pharaoh ants. These latter ant species will build their colonies indoors, but they will not damage the home or harm the inhabitants.
How do you control an ant infestation?
Ant infestations are controlled by destroying the colony or killing the queen, and for the most part, you will need the help of a pro to do this. If you’ve noticed ants in the home, and you would like them to be removed, or if you have any other questions about these insects, give us a call and we will help you out.