The Key To Total Ant Control For Your Suffolk County Home

Ants are an incredibly prevalent insect, with an estimated two million ants for every human worldwide. They serve many purposes, from aerating the soil to controlling bug populations by preying on wasps, moths, and more. Their composting efforts can make the soil more nutritious and help spread nutrients, making plants healthier and more robust. They can even break down organic matter, making them useful in the wild and private gardens. When found in reasonable quantities in yards, ants are not usually a cause for concern unless problems appear or they are aggressive. But indoors, ants are one of the most unwanted pests as they can cause many issues, from contaminating surfaces and invading food to sometimes causing painful bites and stings depending on the species that has taken over. 

Some ants can also cause significant property damage, which you might not notice immediately as ants are tiny and can hide inside walls effectively. Some species, like carpenter ants, can cause as much damage as termites. And because they are social insects, if you find only a few ants here and there, you are probably well on your way to a bigger problem. Ants can reproduce quickly and efficiently; a well-fed queen can lay hundreds of eggs every day, and it can take a few short years for a small group of ants to turn into a full-blown problem. If you are dealing with ants, it is time to learn about the types of ants that commonly invade Suffolk county homes, understand the problems that an ant infestation can cause, and try naturally effective ways to prevent them from invading. If you are looking for professional assistance for total ant control, A&M Quality Pest Control provides reliable pest control in Suffolk County. 

Types Of Ants That Commonly Invade Suffolk County Homes

There are many species of ants all over the world, from harmless ones to ones that can be aggressive. You can only find a small percentage of them in Long Island, but unfortunately, they can often cause various problems. They will most likely come indoors in the fall when the weather starts to cool off and are looking for food and shelter to sustain the colony. Most of the time, the four following types are the ones you will want to look out for:

• Carpenter ants: Carpenter ants are very destructive ants that hide behind walls and chew through wooden structures, including support beams. You can understand why this could cause dangerous and costly problems. These wood-destroying pests are 5/8 of an inch long and generally a shade of red or black. They do not digest wood like termites but chew through it to build galleries. You are more likely to find them where wood is decayed or damaged by leaks or floods. You will need specific carpenter ant pest control to deal with them.
• Odorous house ants: These ants release an unpleasant, rotten coconut-like smell when crushed. They will not directly attack people, but they will invade food sources readily, especially if they are high in starches and sugar. Smaller than carpenter ants, odorous house ants are usually less than 1/8 of an inch long.
• Pavement ants: Pavement ants are generally found outdoors and are the ants you might find on sidewalks and driveways walking together as a colony. They can find their way into homes where they will take over your food, just like common house ants.
• Pharaoh ants: These are pale-colored ants ranging from yellowish to reddish with a darker-colored abdomen. Just like pavement and odorous ants, they are drawn to high-sugar foods. But being omnivores, they are just as willing to take over high-fat and high-protein foods as well, including meats and pet food. They can transmit several dangerous diseases like salmonella. They are some of the most dangerous types of ants.

If you see signs of an ant infestation, like ant trails, sawdust, ants wings, or ant mounds in your yard, you might be dealing with one of these four types of ants. If this is the case, you will want to learn more about the problems ants can cause in your home.

The Problems An Ant Infestation Can Cause In Your Home

Ants are small insects that you might not think much of if the infestation isn’t very advanced yet, but they can cause many problems down the road. For example, ants can cause massive property damage. This is mostly the case of carpenter ants, a type commonly found in the area that creates intricate tunnels while remaining out of sight until you notice the signs of an infestation. Some clues that indicate the presence of these wood-destroying insects include small piles of sawdust or wood shavings, noise coming from behind walls, and the presence of winged ants. Ants can also transmit pathogens. Some diseases ants can carry include E. Coli, shigella, and salmonella. These illnesses usually manifest themselves through gastrointestinal problems like food poisoning, and you may experience diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and more. If you see ants in your food supply, get rid of the food promptly. Eating anything that has been in contact with ants can make you sick. If you develop concerning symptoms, be sure to seek out medical care as soon as you can. The best way to keep your household safe is to incorporate naturally effective ant control strategies to prevent them from coming into your home.

Naturally Effective Ways To Prevent Ants In Your Home

Treatments are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to ant pest control. You also want to keep infestations from happening in the first place by using easy and non-invasive strategies for year-round ant prevention. Some naturally effective options include:

• Sealing off access points: For ants to come in, they must have entry points. These could be anything from damaged walls to cracked foundations. Sealing them up will make it more difficult for ants to get in.
• Keeping food away from ants: Ants come in looking for food more than anything else, although moisture is a big issue. Make sure that you put away all leftovers, that garbage cans are clean and emptied, and that floors and carpets are cleaned every day, especially before bed. Pet food can also attract ants, but with the help of dog-friendly ant control, it does not have to be a long-term issue.
• Keeping the kitchen clean: Just like you want food put away quickly, it is also crucial that you put away dirty dishes as soon as possible. Wiping up spills and leaks and regular vacuuming and mopping floors are very helpful.
• Conducting regular inspections: For some types of ants, like carpenter ants, it can be hard to figure out if you have a problem until it is too late. A professional pest control technician can spot signs of an infestation before you do.
• Installing window screens and door sweeps: Doors and windows are a common entry point for ants, but you can fit them with door sweeps and fine-mesh screens to prevent ants from coming in.

Keeping your yard healthy throughout the seasons: If your yard makes it easy for ants to start colonies, they will probably end up indoors at some point, especially as the weather gets colder and they seek shelter. Keep your grass cut short, trim bushes and trees regularly, and make sure compost piles are at least thirty feet away from your home to prevent ants from entering.

If keeping ants away is taking a lot of your time or these ant prevention tips aren’t as effective as you’d like, it might be time to reach out to a pest control company that can exterminate the colony safely.