Throughout the Yardley area the warm weather of spring brings out worker ants that leave the nest to forage for food, using tiny cracks in building exteriors to gain entry to homes and offices.
Unfortunately, this is never a remedy to the problem. For true ant control, it is necessary to engage the services of an exterminator. These trained professionals can locate and eliminate access points to the home, destroy the nest of the ant colony and provide tips to make the property less vulnerable to future infestations.
WHAT DO ANTS LOOK LIKE?
Acrobat ants have stingers, but they only grow to a maximum of one-eighth of an inch long. Typically, they are black or brown and have a heart-shaped abdomen. These abdomens may be raised above the ant's head, giving them their unusual name.
Though black ants usually are black, it is not unusual to see brown members of the species. Distinguished by a two-segmented pedicel and an unevenly rounded profile, black ants reach about one-sixteenth of an inch long.
Citronella ants are so named because of the lemon or citronella scent that they emit when they are crushed. Moreover, they generally are either amber or yellowish-brown in color. The queens of these colonies are considerably larger than the one-eighth of an inch to three-sixteenths of an inch workers.
Brown or black odorous ants are similar in size to citronella ants. When they are crushed, they smell like rotting coconut, which is the source of their distinctive name.
Pavement ants are similar in size to many local ant species, with workers reaching a total of about one-eighth of an inch in length. They also are brown or black like most species. However, their legs are a distinctively lighter color than their bodies.
Carpenter ants are by far the largest ants in the region, with workers having an average body length of approximately five-eighths of an inch. Most carpenter ants are black, though it is not unusual to see some red individuals or those with multiple colors.
WHERE DO ANTS LIVE?
Ant nests may be discovered in the outdoors or within the confines of a man-made structure. In nature, nests may occupy the open space beneath a pile of rocks. Holes in trees or fallen logs provide excellent habitat as do piles of natural debris.
Other species, such as the citronella ant and the pavement ant, tend to nest adjacent to or beneath paved surfaces like patios, sidewalks, driveways and stepping stones. This nesting behavior may be indicated by tiny piles of sand or soil next to or on top of pavement.
Loose soil next to a foundation may provide the right habitat for some ant species, but others will build a nest within a wall void, crawl space or basement. Carpenter ants are notorious for this type of nesting behavior, and they have been known to cause expensive damage when they nest in man-made structures.
WHAT DO ANTS EAT?
Most ant species have simple dietary needs for sugar and protein. Sugar frequently is obtained from a substance called honeydew, which is produced by aphids and mealybugs. Protein comes from eating both living and dead insects. Items that are greasy or oily also will attract most ants.
In kitchens, it is easy for ants to find sugar, protein, grease and oil. They may attack a cube of butter that has been left on the counter as well as a variety of foods like baked goods, meat, peanut butter, cheese, fruit, vegetables, jam and honey. Because pet food typically contains protein, ants are likely to infest it.
DAMAGE CAUSED BY ANTS
Some ant species are more commonly considered nuisance pests because they tend not to cause property damage. Nonetheless, when ants infest a kitchen and pantry, they do cause damage. Contaminated food must be thrown away, and contaminated surfaces and kitchen tools must be disinfected before they are safe to use.
Ant species that tunnel beneath paved surfaces may cause these structures to settle and crack. Sometimes, this pavement becomes uneven, presenting a trip hazard.
The most destructive ants are carpenter ants. They prefer to tunnel into the wooden structures in buildings to nest. When an infestation is allowed to persist over the course of years, it is not unusual for homeowners to have to pay hundreds or even thousands of dollars to repair the damage.
ARE ANTS AGGRESSIVE?
Biting and stinging are defense mechanisms that may be used by ant species. Rarely serious, these attacks can still be distressing to children or cause serious reactions in people with a sensitivity.
Ants are more likely to be seen as persistent as lines of them continue to traverse floors and counters. This is because of a powerful pheromone trail that the ants lay down when a food source is discovered. Eliminating this trail is essential to ending the infestation.
DO ANTS CARRY DISEASE?
A bite or a sting from an ant is unlikely to spread an illness. Still, ants are notorious for causing food poisoning after contaminating food and food preparation surfaces.
Bacteria such as Salmonella, Shigella and E. coli all are commonly spread by ants. The bacteria are deposited in food. If this food is then eaten by people, symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and chills may ensue. Similarly, these bacteria may be left behind on counter tops and on kitchen utensils. Unless these items are properly disinfected, preparing food with them can make people sick.
HOW TO DETECT ANTS
Signs of an ant problem include:
• Tiny piles of soil or sand close to or on paved surfaces • Ants discovered in kitchens or pantries • Flying, swarming carpenter ants emerging in the spring • Finding ants in stored food
HOW TO PREVENT ANTS
The following precautions should be taken to help reduce the risk of an ant infestation:
• Look for holes or cracks in building exteriors that need to be sealed • Store yard debris and woodpiles well away from structures • Trim trees and plants so they do not touch buildings • Wipe up crumbs or spills when they occur • Keep food in metal or glass containers with tight lids
HOW TO 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.
