Ants are often unwelcome guests at outdoor summer picnics, but they rarely pose a threat with the exception of fire ants. As an indoor guest some species can cause structural damage due to “nesting.” They can also sting or smell bad, depending on the species. All in all, most homeowners would agree that an ant infestation is a problem they would rather avoid.

When it comes to controlling ants, the biggest problem is determining which species is present and how to properly control the pest. To the average homeowner, most ants look alike. Many of the same species can be found throughout much of the United States, but a few species are more geographically confined. Common species that pose many household problems include pavement ants, carpenter ants, and odorous house ants. Regardless of the type of ant present, there is one thing they all have in common, which is the key to their elimination.

How to Eliminate Ant Infestations

Ants are social insects that live in colonies. Each member of the colony has a job to do. Most often, what homeowners see are the worker ants foraging for food. The ants lay down invisible odor trails to food sources for the other worker ants to follow. If the food source happens to be in your kitchen, you can bet at some point you will see them trailing about. Eliminating the ants you see and wiping all surfaces clean with soap and water may eliminate the few you see, but it will likely be insufficient at controlling the entire problem. The nearby colony, whether located inside or outside, will have hundreds if not thousands of other workers who will be able to follow the trail laid by their predecessors.

To successfully eliminate an ant infestation, the colony will need to be destroyed. The best way to achieve this is to use a bait method of control rather than an insect topical pesticide. Placing ant baits along known trails or near known food or moisture sources will help ensure that the worker ants take the poison back to the colony, where it will effectively stop reproduction and control the infestation. Oftentimes, this is the only effective means of control unless the actual location of the colony is known.

When to Call in the Professionals

While ant baits are available anywhere home pesticides are sold and can prove effective at controlling household ant problems, there are some situations that warrant professional intervention. If an infestation is out of control, certain products are only available to licensed professionals may be necessary. In the case of ants or termites, it may become necessary for a professional pest control company to not only identify the culprit, but devise a treatment plan as well.

Reduce the Likelihood of Ant Infestations

There are ways to reduce the occurrence of ant infestations. Caulking windows and doors will help eliminate entry into the home. Repair leaks to reduce moisture sources and keep surfaces free of food residue. If ants are a recurring problem, you may need to have the perimeter of your home treated with a product designed for ant control. It is not advisable to treat the entire yard with granule or spray insecticides. It isn’t likely to resolve a household ant problem, and may eliminate and destroy the beneficial insect ecosystem that keeps other pests in check. If you cannot locate the actual problem colony or aren’t certain if it is indoors or outdoors, you should consult a pest control professional for a treatment plan.

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