How To Get Rid Of Ants
April 21, 2020
How To Get Rid Of Ants
“How to get rid of ants?” This is a lingering question in the mind of homeowners every spring. Right around April, when the weather starts to warm up in Columbus, Ohio, ants make their appearance in homes across the state. They seem like harmless creatures, but they can actually do a vast amount of damage to homes and structures.
Ants (“Lasius neoniger), are one of the most irritating pests you can find in your home. Ants in Ohio are not known for their stings or bites like they are in the southern United States, however, they can cause major damage to homes and structures. There are several different types of ants in Ohio and it is important to properly identify which type of ant you have as each species will need a different method to eliminate. Different types of ants are attracted to different types of food sources. Some ants like fats and oils, others like protein and still others only feed on sugar. Properly identifying ants in Columbus, Ohio will determine what treatment is used in eradicating the infestation.
It is important to note that ant treatments are not a one and done deal most of the time. Ant colonies vary in size and there could be more than one colony on your property. Ants also leave pheromone trails that a new colony can find the following year and the infestation will start over again. Once the initial colony has been eradicated it is important to continue preventive pest control to ensure other colonies do not re-infest.
Types of Treatments
Many people when thinking about the question, “How to get rid of ants?,” think that ants are something that can be controlled with over the counter pesticides. It is true that there are a lot of chemicals out there that can kill on contact and put a repellent barrier throughout your home. However, if a repellent is placed in the home before the colony is eradicated this can lead to the colony moving somewhere else in the home where the chemical has not been applied. Also, chemicals that kill on contact and instantaneously do not give the ability for the ants to track it back to the colony. Ants are very social insects in that they feed each other, clean each other and take care of one another. Using a chemical that that kills slowly and can be tracked back to the colony ensures a broader and more thorough treatment.
Types of Ants
Although there are many types of ants in Columbus, Ohio, the ants we encounter the most are Carpenter Ants, Odorous House Ants and Little Black Ants.
Carpenter Ants
(Camponotus spp.) are the most destructive species of ants to a structure as they need moist wood to create colonies to produce offspring. Carpenter ants prefer an environment that is moist and has a constant water source. Often you will find them in kitchens, bathrooms, window sills and on the sill plate of the foundation. They feed on proteins and sugars. Carpenter ants vary in size depending on their sex and the role they play within the colony. There are also ant swarmers that appear in early spring. These swarmers are looking for suitable environments to start a new colony. Many people mistake carpenter ant swarmers for termites as they can look similar. It is always a good idea to have a professional come and diagnose the insect to be sure the proper treatment is completed.
Odorous House Ants
(“Paratrechina”) are easy to identify as they have an interesting odor and they come in droves. When these ants are smashed between your fingers they let off a “rotten coconut” smell. They are commonly found in kitchen areas and other areas where food is kept or stored. Although these ants do not cause a lot of structural damage they are annoying when you find them in your cupboards. They are looking for sweets and other food to forage.
Black Ants
(“Monomorium minimum”) are a common house ant that is looking for a suitable nesting environment consisting of a water source and food source. These ants are not exclusive on what they will eat. They feed on anything inclusive of sugar, proteins, fats and oils.
Understanding the species, behavior and life cycles of ants is imperative in providing a comprehensive treatment in getting rid of this pest. At Restoration Pest Management our method of eliminating ants is:
- Using the proper bait for the ant species with the proper type of food source that then can be fed to subsequent ants back at the colony.
- Using a tracking chemical that thy ants will pick up and then transfer externally to other colony members,
- Using a sterilizing agent that will prevent the ants from being able to reproduce.
- Once the main issue has been taken care of and there are no more ants inside the structure, a preventive residual exterior chemical will be used to keep the ants out of the home year after year.
- To ensure your home continues to be “ant free” we recommend quarterly or semi-monthly treatments to keep the pests out of your home.
Call us today!
If you are experiencing ants in Columbus, Ohio and have the lingering question in your mind, “How to get rid of ants?” give us a call today! 614-204-8630
For more information about ants in Ohio visit The Ohio State University Extension
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How To Get Rid of Carpenter Ants Removing ants from your home can be challenging, and if not executed properly, it may exacerbate the issue and allow the colony to spread throughout your residence. Numerous over-the-counter pesticides are marketed for ant control, but they often fail to address the root cause of the infestation. What Lures Carpenter Ants Ants invade your home because they discover an environment that offers favorable conditions along with food and water sources. Typically, ants are drawn to moisture issues, particularly Carpenter Ants. Over time, the barriers that prevent moisture from penetrating the wood in your home deteriorate. Windowsills and door frames begin to degrade, caulking cracks, and moisture seeps into these areas. When wood moisture levels rise, it creates an inviting environment for various wood-destroying pests, including ants. Carpenter Ants utilize their mandibles to excavate the wood, creating nesting cavities. While they do not consume wood like termites , they can still inflict damage, including structural harm to your home if not addressed promptly. Black Carpenter Ants Ants, in general, are social insects, each fulfilling specific roles within their colony. They collaborate and share resources throughout their community. To effectively eliminate ants, it is crucial not to disrupt their activities but rather to provide them with something they recognize as food or a substance they cannot detect, which will spread throughout the colony and eradicate the source of the infestation. Carpenter Ants, in particular, can have multiple satellite colonies away from the main colony, depending on their level of establishment. The primary colony can be located up to 300 feet from a satellite colony, often found in decaying trees, logs, or nearby woodpiles. How to Treat Carpenter Ants – Mount Gilead, Ohio Many homeowners prefer to tackle these annoying pests on their own to save some money. While this might seem like a cost-effective choice, it can sometimes worsen the issue by embedding the problem deeper into your home, causing the colony to spread and divide. Many over-the-counter solutions, such as chemicals, essential oils, and vinegar, are designed to repel insects quickly, providing a temporary fix. This approach may push the ants out of sight, but it creates a repellant barrier that can lead to the ants splitting into two groups, allowing them to infiltrate untreated areas of your home. Consequently, this method fails to eliminate the source colony from which the ants originate. Liquid Ant Bait For minor ant infestations, using an over-the-counter borax ant bait can be an effective first step in the elimination process until a pest control expert can evaluate and address the issue properly. Ant baits are specifically designed to attract ants, which perceive them as food, and they subsequently distribute it throughout the colony. Borax ant baits offer a low-risk option to help prevent a larger infestation from developing. Control Carpenter Ants – Columbus, Ohio In the end, having ants in your home can pose a more significant problem than just the few visible in your kitchen or bathroom. Engaging a pest control professional like Restoration Pest Management, who can accurately diagnose and treat the infestation, is the most effective solution for long-term success . While homeowners can perform localized and spot treatments, a pest control expert will ensure your whole home is safeguarded against ant invasions both now and in the future. Contact Restoration Pest Management today at 614-204-8630 for your complimentary quote.
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