How to Identify Ants and Prevent Infestation in Your Home

Did you know that more than 700 species of ants live in the United States?

Ants can be unwelcome guests in your yard, but they can be especially troublesome if they find their way into your home. Ants are on the move. They may be crawling toward your kitchen counter or making their home in your basement or crawl space. No matter how they are entering your house, learning more about them and how they live will help you keep them out of your house. 

Here, one of the most reliable pest control companies in Fresno shares some information that can help you:

Common Household Ants

Argentine Ants

Argentine ants are the most common household ants found throughout the United States, with the exception of the Southeast. They are shiny and light to dark brown in color. These ants can be found indoors and outdoors, and they commonly nest in soil, under logs and bark, in mulch, and under rocks.

Carpenter Ants

Carpenter ants are common pests in the eastern United States. These ants make their home in wood and other dead plant material. Carpenter ants will often build their nests in wood used in sheds, fences, decks, and houses.

Crazy Ants

Crazy ants are small and fast-moving. They are often confused with other small black ants, but crazy ants have a distinctive odor. These ants enter homes through cracks and crevices, but they are more commonly found in soil, mulch, rotting wood, and potted plants.

Odorous House Ants

Odorous house ants are tiny black house ants often mistaken for sugar ants. They are most often found in kitchens and bathrooms, but they can be found in other humid areas, such as basements and crawl spaces throughout the house. Odorous house ants do not have a distinct odor, so the name does not apply to them.

Pavement Ants

Pavement ants can most often be seen running along sidewalks or patios. These ants are black or light reddish-brown. These ants live in colonies outside and inside homes.

How to Identify House Ants

Ant identification is easy as you only need to look at their three distinct body regions: the head, thorax and abdomen, and antennae.

Ants are considered social insects because they live in colonies, so you will most likely see more than one of them at a time. Within the house, ants typically prefer the kitchen and bathrooms, as these areas provide access to food and moisture.

How to Prevent Ants from Getting Into Your Home

Getting rid of ants is easier than preventing them from getting into your home, but there are a few things you can do to help keep them out of your house:

• Keep your home clean. Sweep or vacuum frequently and clean up spills right away.

• Do not leave unneeded items out on the patio and deck.

• Seal cracks and crevices, especially under and around doors, on window frames, and along baseboards, where ant trails often go.

Conclusion

Ants are common pests in the United States, so you should learn how to identify them, where you can find them, and how to prevent them from entering your home. The key to keeping ants out of the house is to keep your home clean and sealed properly. However, if you are dealing with an ant infestation, it’s best to call one of your area’s best residential pest control companies.

Valora Pest Control is one of the most trusted pest control companies in Fresno that can help you get rid of the ants and any other pests in your home. Contact us today to learn more about our services!