Ant infestations are one of the most common pest issues in Kansas City, with potential impacts ranging from minor nuisances to serious threats that can damage homes. Understanding which species of ant you’re dealing with is key to effective control. From identification tips to essential prevention strategies, here’s everything homeowners need to know to keep their homes ant-free year-round.
Common Ant Species in Kansas City
Some types of ants are of higher concern than others. While many of the home-invading ant species in Kansas City are harmless, a few can cause significant damage if they’re not dealt with as quickly as possible. Here are two common species of ants you may find invading your home in the Kansas City area:
1. Carpenter Ants
Carpenter ants are among the most damaging pests in Kansas City, second only to termites in their ability to quickly destroy wood structures. To make matters worse, these wood-destroyers are the most common ants in midwestern homes.
Carpenter ants vary greatly in size (anywhere from ⅛ to ¼ inch) and color (black, red, and varying shades of brown). Some carpenter ants, known as “swarmers,” have wings to help them travel and search for damp spaces to form satellite colonies. If you see swarmers in or near your home, you may have a colony on the way or just starting to establish itself.
2. Odorous House Ants
Odorous house ants are uniquely identifiable by their smell when squished, often described as smelling like rotten coconut or blue cheese. They can be brown or black and are usually around ⅛ inch in size. Odorous house ants form very large colonies with multiple queens, making them very difficult to deal with once they decide to venture indoors.
Six Steps to Preventing Ant Infestations
While ant species may vary, prevention techniques typically remain the same. Here are six things to do that will help reduce the chances of ants marching into your home:
1. Be Seasonally Mindful
While ants can invade homes at any time of the year, these infestations are most common in the springtime. When the weather warms, they venture out of their colonies to forage and breed, often launching new colonies or satellite colonies. Give fortifying your home against ants special attention during the springtime to avoid future infestations.
2. Know Where to Look (and Clean)
When inspecting your home for possible ant infestations, check their favorite hangout spots. The most common is the kitchen — where ants can find an abundance of food and water sources — and the entryway, where ants most often find their way indoors.
You may also find ants in bathrooms, basements, laundry rooms, and crawl spaces. Give these areas extra attention when doing spring cleaning — including hard-to-reach areas like under the stove or behind the fridge where crumbs and debris can accumulate.
3. Seal Up Entry Points
Ants can’t invade your home if they can’t find a way inside! Seal up possible entry points to stop these little explorers in their tracks:
- Replace damaged weather stripping on doors and windows
- Trim trees and foliage back away from your home
- Seal all cracks and crevices in siding and around windows and doors
4. Repair Potential Water Sources
If your home has moisture or standing water, it can become an instant attractant to ants. Inspect your plumbing for potential leaks, especially around under-the-sink plumbing and the faucets themselves. If your basement seems damp, consider installing a dehumidifier. Also, make sure your gutters and downspouts are functioning properly to divert water away from your home.
5. Eliminate Food Sources
Ants also need reliable food sources in order to survive, which is why you’ll often find them in droves if you leave a sticky spill or crust of bread unattended on the kitchen floor for too long. Wipe down floors and counters regularly, wash dishes daily, and keep food sealed in airtight containers to hide the smells from hungry little foragers!
6. Sign Up for Our Pest Control Program
No one does pest prevention better than Advantage Termite and Pest Control! If ants are a frequent issue for you, consider signing up for our quarterly pest control program to keep all manner of pests at bay — ants included.
Stronger Together
Ants may find strength in numbers, but so can you! Instead of trying to deal with a stubborn ant infestation on your own, call in reinforcements by scheduling an appointment with Advantage Termite and Pest Control. With our Integrated Pest Management methods, we will safely and reliably take care of any existing pest infestations while setting you up for future success with top-notch prevention techniques.
Call us at first sight – we do it right!
