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Ant infestations are dreaded by everyone, and unfortunately, they’re extremely common. Everyone sees an ant or two from time to time, whether it’s outdoors near your lawn or inside on your windowsill. So how do you know when you have an actual infestation? Seeing even just a few ants in your home often indicates there’s a larger problem forming. Ant trails, nests, and wood shavings are more serious signs of an established infestation. As soon as you discover the signs of ants, it’s best to contact the team at Western Exterminator.
Ant infestations can be problematic for both homeowners and businesses as they can pose risks to people, including:
- Infest and contaminate food and food-serving areas
- Spread bacteria and disease-causing organisms
- Contaminate sterile areas like hospitals and food processing facilities
- Damage reputations of businesses and brands
Ants are notoriously hard to get rid of without a professional ant exterminator. At Western Exterminator, we know how frustrating ants are and will work with you to keep ants out for good.
Are ants dangerous?
Although ants aren’t as dangerous as other pests, some are known to carry and spread bacteria wherever they go. While rare, a few ant species are known to bite or sting. In addition, carpenter ants are infamous for their destructive wood-boring habits. In general, however, ants don’t pose a huge threat.
The main danger of an ant infestation is the difficulty in trying to control them without the help of professional ant exterminators. Ants spread quickly into different colonies, which is why it’s important to enlist the help of an ant pest control company as soon as you notice a few ants in your home or business.
What is an ant infestation?
An ant infestation occurs when ants establish a colony inside or around your home. Seeing a few ants may not be a problem, but when you notice a steady swarm of them, it often signals an infestation. Ants are social insects, and they communicate through pheromone trails, allowing them to form large groups quickly.
How an ant problem becomes an infestation
A minor ant problem in the house can escalate into an infestation if left unchecked. Ants send out scout workers to locate food sources. If they find an accessible supply, they leave a scent trail leading more ants to the location. Over time, this can result in thousands of ants entering your home, making it difficult to control the issue.
Common ant species that infest houses
Several ant species commonly cause ant infestations in homes, including:
- Carpenter ants: Known for burrowing into wood and causing structural damage.
- Odorous house ants: Problems include their musty smell when crushed.
- Pavement ants: Often found near driveways, sidewalks, and foundations.
Why are there ants in my house?
No one wants to discover an ant infestation in their home. There are a number of reasons that ants are in your house:
- Crumbs left uncleaned and food (even pet food) left out
- A cracked foundation
- Vegetation growing too close to your home
- Excess moisture
- Seeking shelter from warm weather
Our ant control technicians know that these pests can enter your home for multiple reasons and will take time to explore all possible causes of the infestation. Your technician will get to the root of the problem and help you take the necessary steps to get rid of the ants.
Signs of ants around your home
Live ants
If you’re seeing large numbers of live ants then you may well have a problem. If you find them in your kitchen or in areas where you prepare food, then you need to do something about it fast.
Ant pathways
In and out of your home or premises are another sign. Some types of ant will lay down a pheromone trail to a food source. This chemical attracts other ants to find the food.
Ant nest
A nest site can look like a small pile of soil or dirt. Some species of ant like to make their home in walls or other quiet, dark places, which are more difficult to spot.
Dirt
It is quite common to find small heaps of earth or dirt usually found around nest sites when ants infest a property.
Wood shavings
If you notice small piles of wood shavings near baseboards, window sills, or wooden furniture, you may have a carpenter ant infestation. These ants don’t eat wood but burrow into it to create their nests.
Structural damage
Over time, an ant infestation can cause damage to the integrity of your home. Carpenter ants, in particular, weaken wood structures. This can compromise floors, walls, and support beams.
Call Western Exterminator at 800-937-8398 to talk to an expert about ant control or contact us online.
Ant infestation treatment options
DIY products, like ant gel traps may help you reduce ant infestations in some instances, if you're serious about getting rid of ants you should get in touch with our experts.
Our pest control specialists know how to treat ant infestations. They understand the habits of different types of ant species and can offer the most appropriate and effective solution. Western Exterminator provides customers with a wide array of solutions, including both chemical and non-chemical treatments.
How to get rid of ant infestations
Western Exterminator specialists will find out how ants are getting into your home or business and offer treatment options to get rid of the ant infestation. One of the most effective ways to stop ant infestations is to use baits. The baits attract ants who think the bait is food. The ants carry it back to their colony where it is shared. More ants come, following the trails laid by scout ants and soon the entire ant colony is eliminated.
Western Exterminator has the right baits for your home and can offer solutions to get rid of an existing ant infestation. We also offer advice and suggestions to help you prevent ant infestations from returning.
How to prevent future infestations
Preventing an ant infestation requires a combination of proactive measures and routine maintenance. Even if you've already dealt with an ant problem, taking steps to keep them from returning is crucial.
Keep your home clean and food sealed
Proper sanitation is one of the best ways to prevent an ant problem. Mop up spills, sweep floors, and store food in sealed containers to eliminate attractants.
Seal cracks, gaps, and entry points
Ants often enter homes by crawling through small cracks, holes and crevices. Sealing entry points around doors, windows, and foundations can prevent ants infestations from occurring.
Regular inspections and professional advice
Scheduling routine pest control inspections can help detect and eradicate signs of an ant infestation in the house before they become a serious issue.
Different ant species that infest homes
There are multiple ant species that are black in color, so finding black ants on your property could mean an infestation of any one of these species. For example, there are certain species of carpenter ant that are black. You could also be facing an infestation of little black ants, Monomorium minimum, pests are only about 1/16 of an inch in length.
However, not all home-invading ants are black. Fire ants are known for their aggressive behavior and painful stings, often forming large colonies in yards. Occasionally, fire ants invade homes. Pharaoh ants, which are light yellow or tan in color, can be a major problem in hospitals, food facilities, and homes. This is because they spread bacteria and are difficult to eliminate. Argentine ants, typically light to dark brown, are known for forming massive colonies and can quickly overrun a property in search of food and water.
Western Exterminator is equipped to get rid of any ant infestation you encounter. Our specialists will identify the ant species plaguing you and then determine the most effective treatment to eliminate the pests from your property.
Call Western Exterminator at 800-937-8398 to talk to an expert about ant control or contact us online.
Have you seen ants indoors?
Call Western Exterminator to schedule an ant inspection of your home or business.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get rid of an infestation of ants?
To eliminate an ant infestation, identify the species, remove food sources, seal entry points, and use baits or treatments. Professional extermination is often the most effective solution.
Why do I suddenly have so many ants in my house?
Ants enter homes when they forage for food, water, or look for shelter. Changes in weather, unsealed food, or gaps in walls and foundations can lead to a sudden infestation.
How do you get rid of a crazy ant infestation?
Crazy ants are highly adaptable and difficult to control. Baits may not always work, so professional treatment with specialized products is often necessary for full eradication.
How long does an ant infestation last?
An ant infestation can last weeks or months, depending on the species and the effectiveness of control measures. Without intervention, infestations may persist indefinitely.