It’s nearly impossible to calculate the exact number of ants on Earth, but estimates range from one trillion to 20 quadrillion. Yes, you read that right: there are as many as 20 quadrillion of these tiny pests in the world! If you find yourself experiencing an ant infestation, it can sometimes feel like a good chunk of that population is in your home!
All this begs the question: if the ants do come marching in, what can you do about it? And what causes an ant infestation in the first place? Your trusty neighborhood pest control team is here with the answers.
Types of Ant Infestations
With more than 12,000 species of ants in the world, the possibilities for infestations are truly endless. Ultimately, ant infestations can be classified into three primary areas of concern:
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- Standard black ants are the most common infestation, coming in search of food and multiplying rapidly to form a steady stream of workers collecting crumbs for their colony.
- Flying ants may enter your home to find a place to breed, and can be identified by the fact that they do, in fact, fly.
- Carpenter ants, similar to carpenter bees, are drawn to soft, moisture-damaged wood inside or outside your home, and these wood-destroying ants can cause significant damage to the structure of your home if left unchecked.
- Odorous house ants are especially unpleasant because of the pungent scent they leave in their wake. This smell is worse if you squish them, making odorous ant removal particularly challenging.
Are Ant Infestations Dangerous?
There are certainly worse pests out there than ants, but that doesn’t mean these little invaders are without their problems. Depending on the species and specialty of the ants infesting your home, issues can range from unpleasant bites and stings to actual damage to your physical house, electrical equipment, or the surrounding landscape.
When they stay outdoors where they belong, ants are a valuable part of our ecosystem, as they aerate soil and redistribute nutrients to help plants take root and grow. They’re also excellent guards against more destructive garden pests, like caterpillars or grasshoppers.
If you do have a violent or destructive ant species living on your Kansas City property, however, be sure to contact us for safe treatment rather than attempting to deal with the nest yourself and angering them.
What Causes an Ant Infestation
All ants (no matter the species!) live for two basic needs: food and lodging. If your home has one or both of these conveniences readily available, ants could eagerly move in at any time! To prevent an ant infestation, it’s best to avoid things that may attract ants to colonize your home, including:
- Food left out (fruit on the counter, crumbs in the kitchen, dirty plates or glasses left to sit, etc.)
- Grease or sticky residue on counters, stovetop, tables, and food containers
- Dirty garbage bins
- Leaking pipes or faucets
- Decaying or water-damaged wood
Keep your home free of these messes and problems that ants thrive on, and you’ll significantly decrease the odds of ants making camp in your house, not to mention several other pest infestations!
How to Prevent an Ant Infestation
To prevent ant infestations in your home, cleanliness is crucial:
- Clean and sanitize your household regularly, leaving no specks or crumbs for little ant scouts to find
- Keep all food stored in airtight containers or refrigerated
- Clean up spills immediately and wipe down countertops daily
- Wash dishes right away
In addition to maintaining a tidy home, inspect the walls, windows, doorways, and floorboards for cracks and holes that ants may use to enter. Since carpenter ants are a common pest in the Kansas City area, it is also recommended to regularly inspect exposed wood in and around your home for moisture damage. Carpenter ants love soft, soggy wood and won’t hesitate to make themselves at home in your walls if they find it!
What to Do if You Have an Ant Infestation
If you suspect an ant infestation in your Kansas City home, be sure to contact a trained professional for treatment. You’re most likely dealing with common black ants, but it’s always safe to know for sure and avoid the risk of damage to your home. Your first instinct may be to try over-the-counter solutions when you see ants in your home, but this approach can be dangerous for pets and people in the home and ultimately isn’t a very effective solution.
At Advantage Termite and Pest Control, we employ treatment methods that target the root of the problem, addressing the entire colony rather than just the ants currently infesting your home. We also offer a 90-day guarantee to ensure you have a pest-free home for months after our initial visit!
Don’t wait until it’s out of control. Call us at first sight – we do it right!
