One thing many homeowners have to deal with is ants. Nobody wants to see a long line of ants marching toward their favorite foods in the pantry. At High Country Pest Control, our Colorado Springs pest control specialists know how to prevent these invasive insects from taking over your home. Here is a look at some of the things that you can do to make your home ant-free and keep it that way in the future.
Signs Of An Ant Infestation In Your Home
Ants are so small that you could have several hundred ants living in your home and not even realize it. If they come into your home, they usually build their nests in the insulation behind your walls. Unless food or water is out in the open, ants will usually stay out of sight. However, there are a few ways that you can tell if you have hidden ants in your home. Some of the telltale signs that you have an ant infestation include:
- Small piles of dirt outside: Ants will build small ant mounds a few inches wide. Some ants live in large colonies containing several thousand ants living together in one mound that can reach up to two feet wide.
- Holes in your wooden structures: Some of the ants in Colorado Springs are able to chew through wood. This will make small holes that are about the size of the tip of a ballpoint pen.
- Discarded wings around windows and doors: Some ants, called swarmer ants, will fly around and look for a new place to build a new colony. When they mate, they will lose their wings and reside in their new nest.
- Ant scouts: If ants are in your home, you may begin to spot them here and there. These ants are scouts looking for new sources of food and water. If they find it, more ants will soon follow.
If you're noticing signs of ants around your home, it's time to take action.
How A Little Ant Can Become A Big Problem
Ants are extremely small. They are usually only about an eighth of an inch long. You may be surprised to know that the tiny body of an ant can actually carry a lot of harmful pathogens. If these insects get near your food or your food preparation areas without your knowledge, they could spread a wide range of diseases and viruses. Among other things, ants can spread streptococcus, salmonellosis, and staph infections.
Why Do-It-Yourself Ant Control Usually Fails
Ants are social creatures. It is extremely rare to find a lone ant that doesn't have a colony of several thousand ants somewhere nearby. Many times, when a person tries to set our bait or use another type of pesticide, they do not use enough to eradicate the entire colony.
Another problem is that DIY ant control solutions usually use a one-size-fits-all technique. However, different species of ants will require different types of ant control solutions. For example, ant repellant you can buy at the store will not harm certain species of ants. In fact, it could actually make the situation worse by causing the queen to lay more eggs.
Call Us For All Your Ant Control Needs
The best way to get rid of an ant infestation and ensure that it stays gone is to let a professional pest control specialist handle the job.
At High Country Pest Control, we have been Colorado's most trusted home pest control company for over three decades. We know how to identify and eliminate all ants from your Colorado Springs home. Give us a call today to schedule your inspection and become one step closer to living an ant-free life!