Ants are among the most numerous insects on earth. Living in large colonies that may include thousands or even millions of individuals, ant infestations are notoriously common and difficult to control.
When ants invade Langhorne area homes and businesses, it is critical to act quickly to address the problem. Species such as the acrobat ant, black ant, carpenter ant, citronella ant, odorous ant and pavement ant all are likely to establish colonies either within or adjacent to structures. When this occurs, ants will soon be spotted in various indoor spaces.
Whether the ants are seeking food, shelter or both, they will continue to infest the indoor space until strict control measures are enacted. Sensible first steps may include ensuring that any rooms in which food is eaten are thoroughly cleaned to remove all traces of crumbs and spills. Updating food storage practices also may be helpful.
However, it further is critical to prevent ants from being able to come indoors. Another important step is to destroy the ant colony in the nest so that the queen can no longer produce young.
It is only with these and other measures that it is possible to end ant infestations. Licensed pest management professionals are trained to accomplish these tasks.
WHAT DO ANTS LOOK LIKE?
Seen in colors that include red, brown and black, the acrobat ant has a shiny body that it can lift over its head when it is threatened. Another identifying characteristic is the few prickly hairs that adorn the insect's head.
Measuring approximately one-sixteenth of an inch, adult black ants are nearly uniformly black, though it is possible to find individuals that are brown. These ants also have shiny bodies.
Carpenter ants are among the species that is the easiest to identify because of their large size. Workers may be approximately one-quarter of an inch long while the reclusive queen is sometimes three-quarters of an inch long. Most of these ants are brown or black, though more colorful individuals may be seen.
With their distinctive yellow coloring, citronella ants are relatively easy to distinguish from other species. However, their name is owed to a different characteristic. When they are crushed, these ants give off a citronella or lemon verbena smell.
Odorous ants also have an identifiable smell that most people associate with rotting coconut. Like other ant species, odorous ants are small at about one-eighth of an inch long and typically are brown or black. With their similar color and size when compared to odorous ants, pavement ants may be difficult to distinguish. However, this species has longitudinal ridges on the thorax and head. They also have antennae that are made up of a dozen segments and that end with a club that has three segments. This species does have a stinger, but it rarely is used on people.
WHERE DO ANTS LIVE?
Acrobat ants prefer elevated nests in trees, usually making use of cavities left behind by animals or birds. This proclivity may cause them to nest in damaged wood on a man-made structure.
Black ants are small so they require a well-protected nesting site. Usually, a decaying log or a large sheltering rock provides the ideal habitat. Nonetheless, this species may be spotted nesting in garden soil, a crack in a paved surface or a lawn. Wall voids and the space behind baseboards are common indoor nesting locations.
Lawns, gardens and forests are all likely places to encounter a nest of citronella ants, but the species may show up next to a building's foundation.
Odorous ants prefer subterranean nests in soil with the entrance protected by a large stone or perhaps a concealing layer of mulch. Inside, a wall void or the back side of a cabinet may be the perfect habitat.
Any cracks or imperfections in sidewalks, driveways and patios might look attractive to pavement ants. This species excavates in the soil beneath paved surfaces to build an elaborate network of tunnels.
When a colony of carpenter ants is successful, the workers will seek to establish indoor nests that are satellites to a main outdoor nest. This outdoor nest may be located in a fallen tree or rotting stump. Even a pile of firewood or lumber may be perfect. When they come inside, carpenter ants look for wet, damaged wood that will be easy to excavate.
WHAT DO ANTS EAT?
Protein and sugar are among the most common food sources for ants. Even carpenter ants, which sometimes are thought to eat wood, eat a diet of protein and sugar like other ants. In the outdoors, ants obtain sugar from honeydew, which is produced by numerous insects that feed on plant roots. Plant sap is another common food source while protein is obtained from consuming other insects.
Because people also frequently eat sugar and protein, ants find plenty to eat when they venture indoors. Jam, jelly, peanut butter, syrup, honey, fruit, meat and pet food are just a few examples of the human foods that ants eat.
DAMAGE CAUSED BY ANTS
Ant infestations generally are not destructive to property, but there are exceptions to this rule. For instance, some pavement ants will make seams or cracks in paved surfaces larger as a result of their excavating. The most destructive ant species by far is the carpenter ant. As they dig into wooden components in the building, they can cause massive damage. If not addressed, a carpenter ant infestation can lead to damage that causes structural instability and is expensive to repair.
ARE ANTS AGGRESSIVE?
Local ant species are small, and many of them spend most of their lives underground. Consequently, these insects do not show aggression to people. Some ants bite or sting, but these instances are rare.
DO ANTS CARRY DISEASE?
Ants are known to spread several kinds of bacteria, toxins and other contaminants as they forage for food. These pollutants are transferred to food that is later consumed by people or to surfaces and utensils that are used in food preparation.
Exposure to these pollutants can make people sick with symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting.
HOW TO DETECT ANTS
Signs of an ant issue include:
• Encountering a swarm of flying ants • Ants discovered in food • A nest of ants located in a building or adjacent to it
HOW TO PREVENT ANTS
To help prevent ant issues the following steps should be taken:
• Keep kitchen surfaces clean • Look for holes or gaps in the exterior of the building that must be plugged • Prevent foliage from touching the exterior of the building • Remove rotting stumps and discarded lumber from landscapes • Repair or replace wood damaged in water leaks
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.
