Get Rid of Ants!
Ants are one of the most common pest problems residential and commercial properties deals with. When ants infiltrate your home you might just see a few scouts at first, but once they find an appealing food source its GAME ON! Ants will create a steady stream between the food source they have discovered and their entry point.
Types of Ants in California
There are roughly a dozen common ant species in California. But in the San Francisco Bay Area there are a few species we run into the most.
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The Argentine Ant – This species is the most prevalent ant we encounter and has a tremendous capacity for growth and expansion. This is due to the numerous queens and splintering off of new colonies. A single population can reach astronomical proportions up to 600,000 individuals. The argentine ant is roughly 1/8 inch long and is dull brown in color.
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The Pharaoh Ant – This species often resides indoors. This is because they like to be close to a water source like your kitchen or bathroom. The pharaoh ant has a stinger, yet is unable to actually sting you. These are roughly 1/16 inch long and are yellow or honey-colored orange.
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The Odorous House Ant – This species mostly resides outside with a typical colony size of 2,000 – 10,000. They are roughly 1/8 inch long and dark brown to shiny black in color. These ants give off a particular odor when crushed, hence the name!
All ants, including the above mentioned, reproduce in a similar manner. When an ant colony grows in size to the point it can sustain itself, some of the alates or winged ants (which are the reproductive caste of the colony) will swarm to other areas. There can be hundreds, and even up to thousands, of flying ants around usually outside but sometimes this occurs inside your home. These alates fly off, find another colony’s male/female alate to pair up with and start a new colony. A lot of homeowners mix up flying ants and flying termites since their reproduction cycles are comparable to each other. To be sure you are dealing with ants and not termites have a licensed inspector come out and take a look.
Do Ants Cause Harm?
Most ants that make it into your home don’t cause you harm outside of your peace of mind. Some ants can bite which can pack a considerable amount of pain, however these species of ants aren’t common in the Bay Area. Even the less aggressive species of ants are still a nuisance no homeowner should have to deal with.
While Omega Termite and Pest Control specializes in controlling your ants in and around your home, it is practically impossible to get rid of “all the ants”. Ants are some of the most prevalent species in the world, calling all seven continents home. It is estimated that the ants of the world total combined weight is roughly the same as all 7 billion humans added together! In addition our ecosystem relies on ants for aerating the Earth’s soil and spreading plant seeds to unused areas. Nevertheless, no one should have to deal with invaders in their homes. If an infestation is giving you problems, Omega can certainly help get rid of your ants.
How To Get Rid of Ants
There are a few strategies we can use to get rid of ants in the house. Some useful tips to help get rid of ants around your home:
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Eliminate standing water. Many pest, such as ants, are attracted to moisture.
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Cut back tree branches and other foliage around your structure. Ants can use trees and plants as pathways to enter your home.
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Seal all cracks and openings around your foundation, doors and windows. These are common entry points for an ant colony.
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Remove building materials, firewood or any loose wood members that are stored next to your home as ants use these as nests.
Controlling an ant problem means using a combination of mechanical, cultural, sanitation and chemical methods. Omega uses the latest technologies which include baits, dusts and non-repellant products to establish control. If you have a persistent problem call Omega Termite and Pest Control to get rid of your ants.
Omega, through our strong history of environmental stewardship and excellence in the pest management field, is one of only 3% of companies nationally that qualified as both QualityPro and GreenPro Certified. Being certified as QualityPro means the employees of Omega are held to a higher standard and are constantly on the cutting edge of the industry through training and education. Qualifying as GreenPro certified assures commercial and residential customers that Omega offers reduced risk, comprehensive, and effective pest control services with the environment in mind. With these certifications, customers can have the utmost confidence Omega will solve their pest problems in the most responsible manner. Click on our coupon below to take advantage of our special offer!
