Ants are amazingly useful insects, a cornerstone of our ecosystem. They take care of decaying plants, aerate the soil, hunt down aphids and termites, and are generally dedicated, good guys. But ants making their way into your home can become a problem, destroying your food and contaminating the surfaces they travel across.
In San Antonio, you're likely to encounter the following ant species:
- Odorous house ants
- Carpenter ants
- Acrobat ants
- Fire ants
- Rover ants
Most of these insects are nuisance pests, not likely to endanger your health or well-being. Carpenter ants, on the other hand, can cause serious damage to your house, and fire ants deliver extremely painful stings.
Let's take a look at identifying the most common ants that invade your house, ant prevention tips, how to get rid of ants in your home, and where to find reliable pest control in San Antonio.
How To Identify House Ants
Odorous house ants are one of the smallest ant species, averaging less than 1/8 of an inch in size. They have segmented oval bodies that are usually brown to black. Odorous ants get their name from the smell of rotten coconuts they release when crashed or threatened and are one of the most widespread species of ants in North America, common in all 50 states.
Odorous house ants are the little guys that specialize in ruining your picnics and have the highest attraction to sweets.
Outdoors, you'll find odorous house ants under the stacks of firewood or building nests in the soil. Indoors, these ants tend to congregate near sources of moisture, such as plumbing pipes, sinks, etc.
How Dangerous Is It To Have Ants In My House?
Most ants in San Antonio are nuisance pests, likely to contaminate your food and annoy you while you're trying to relax at home. Carpenter ants build nests inside wood. If they decide to set up camp in your home, this can result in costly repairs. Fire ants are the other ant species to watch out for. Their stings can be excruciatingly painful and can result in a severe allergic reaction.
How To Naturally Remove Factors That Attract Ants To Your Home
Ants are interested in your property for two simple reasons; easy access to food and a nice place to build a nest. Removing these two attractants and closing up ant pathways into your home will go a long way in keeping ant infestations out of your San Antonio house.
- Fix plumbing leaks. Ants, like most other insects, need a humid environment.
- Clean up crumbs and spills immediately.
- Seal cracks and crevices in the outside walls and make sure the doors and windows fit tight.
- Keep food stored in sealed containers.
- Don't leave dog food open and accessible.
- Cut down branches and vegetation in the proximity of your house.
- Don't store firewood near your home.
- Dispose of trash regularly and keep it in tightly closed trash cans.
Following these tips and a pest control inspection will put you ahead in the fight to keep your house and property free of ants.
The Best Way To Protect Your Home From Ants
At EnviroGuard, we have over 40 years of experience taking care of ant problems and other pest infestations in the San Antonio area. Our service professionals have the training, experience, and proper equipment to ensure your home is free of ants and stays that way. If you're dealing with an ant infestation, contact us today and learn more about our residential and commercial pest control services in San Antonio.