In Levittown, ants are an extremely common pest control issue. That is why most of the calls that exterminators receive have to do with these tiny, persistent invaders. Unfortunately, it is not unusual for property owners to delay making this call at the first sign of a problem. Some home or business owners actually allow an ant infestation to persist for years because they figure there really is not anything that can be done about it.
When troublesome pests like citronella ants invade, the solution is not always straightforward. Several factors may contribute to the infestation, and it is difficult to get a handle on all of these at once.
This is why the assistance of a licensed pest management company is indispensable when citronella ants are found indoors. Exterminators are trained to identify the problem species. Additionally, they have access to powerful control methods that are not available to the general public. Pest management professionals further look for the method of entry that is being used by the pests. Getting rid of any and all entry points is imperative to putting an end to current infestations and ensuring that future infestations are far less likely.
When citronella ants invade, it is time to take action. Contact an exterminator to treat the problem today.
WHAT DO CITRONELLA ANTS LOOK LIKE?
When most people think of ants, they picture small, six-legged insects with a pair of antenna. Frequently, those insects are either black or brown. Citronella ants fit this description fairly well except that they are a light yellow color. At four millimeters in length, the citronella ants is not larger than most of the other local ant species. However, they do emit a citrus or lemony smell when they are crushed, which does set them apart from other ants.
WHERE DO CITRONELLA ANTS LIVE?
Citronella ant bodies are not properly adapted to be exposed to the elements. Accordingly, this species is nearly always found underground, which is where they typically nest. Forests and fields are normal, healthy places for citronella ants to live, but this does not mean that they stay where they are supposed to.
Occasionally, an underground nest of citronella ants in Levittown will be placed adjacent to a building. Lawns and gardens also may be marred by large nests just beneath the surface of the soil. Nests even may be found indoors in a suitably dark, humid place like beneath the floor of a bathroom. Any wall void, soffit or other secluded space is a likely place to find a nest of citronella ants.
When this occurs, it typically is not long before people start encountering citronella ants in the places where they work and live. Colonies of this species may consist of tens of thousands of members. This means that people may feel like they are being overrun by ants when they invade.
WHAT DO CITRONELLA ANTS EAT?
Citronella ants like to eat sweet things. In fact, their main source of nutrition is honeydew, a sugary substance that is produced by insects like mealybugs and aphids. These honeydew-producing insects generally live underground where they feed on plant roots. Consequently, citronella ants also are found underground where their main source of food is located.
In the spring and summer, honeydew is plentiful and easy to procure. However, the insects that produce honeydew begin dying off when the weather turns cold. Citronella ants are then forced to look elsewhere for food. Because humans like many foods that contain sugar, seeking food from kitchens, pantries, restaurants and cafeterias is a common alternative.
Even in the summer when access to honeydew is immediate, some citronella ants may venture indoors if it is easy to do so. The scent of sugar can lure them over surprisingly long distances.
DAMAGE CAUSED BY CITRONELLA ANTS
Some pests cause more damage than citronella ants do. Accordingly, people may consider these insects a mere nuisance.
This is an error, because citronella ant colonies are notorious for exacerbating existing structural damage. Any structure that received damage in a water leak or flood is particularly vulnerable. Unless all of the damage from that disaster was repaired, citronella ants may find it and use it as a nest. This can cause the damage to become more widespread and severe, leading to exceptionally costly and difficult repairs.
ARE CITRONELLA ANTS AGGRESSIVE?
With their impressive numbers, citronella ants are capable of making people feel powerless and outnumbered. No matter how many individual ants are sprayed with bug killer, the colony's workers just seem to keep coming and coming. The colony's queen is constantly reproducing, so citronella ant infestations tend to grow fast. With their habits of worsening structural damage and contaminating food that is meant for people and pets, citronella ants can seem like an aggressive species.
DO CITRONELLA ANTS CARRY DISEASE?
In virtually any season, peoples' food stores are in danger of being infested by citronella ants. Like other ant species, citronella ants frequently carry bacteria, viruses and other toxins around with them. These contaminants naturally are transferred to any food items with which the ants come into contact.
As is common in other pest infestations, these contaminants can make people ill. Usually recognized as food poisoning, symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and fever. People who are aware of a citronella ant infestation where they live or work and develop these symptoms may need to seek medical treatment.
It further is worth noting that the citrus-like smell given off by these insects is a byproduct of a chemical that they produce when crushed. Some people are allergic to this chemical and may have a severe reaction when they come into contact with it.
HOW TO DETECT CITRONELLA ANTS
Signs of an ant infestation include:
• Visual sightings of yellowish ants • Flying ant swarms during the summer months • Unexplained citrus or lemon smells • Tiny piles of soil in landscaping
HOW TO PREVENT CITRONELLA ANTS
Follow these steps to help prevent ant control issues:
• Correct water leaks and repair all associated damage • Ensure that there are no small holes or gaps in the building's exterior • Store food in pest-proof containers • Stop storing food on counters or otherwise in the open • Put pet food out only at mealtimes • Use screens on all doors and windows • Repair foundation cracks and other problems
HOW WE TREAT FOR ANTS
Ants are the number one pest control issue and can prove virtually impossible for home and business owners to solve on their own. Ending an ant infestation typically requires proper ant identification, locating and destroying the nest or colony, as well as the use and application of specialized products.
As such, it is not advisable for property owners to attempt to eradicate an ant infestation without assistance from a professional pest control provider.
