Whether they are inside or outside of a structure, a colony of ants can pose a serious problem. Most ant colonies can consist of around 100 thousand ants. When these ants make their nests nearby, they can be difficult to eliminate without professional pest control services. In the Saint Cloud, Florida area, there are several species of ants that can lead to serious issues if left untreated. Ants may move inside a home or office building to seek shelter or search for a source of food or water. Commonly, residents may discover issues with bigheaded ants, crazy ants, Florida carpenter ants, ghost ants, pharaoh ants and red imported fire ants.
While there are some DIY methods to treat ants, they are not always effective with infestations. Ant spray or bait stations may work to eliminate a few ants, however, effectively removing ant colonies is a much larger task. Many at-home treatment methods merely mask the issue, rather than conquering the root cause. Some of these methods cannot defend against certain species of ants. Some species such as the pharaoh ant, are not receptive to DIY pest treatments. Hiring a licensed exterminator is always recommended to safely and permanently addressing ant infestations.
WHAT DO ANTS LOOK LIKE?
All species of ants have six legs, as they are all classified as insects. Each ant has a three-part body where their legs attach. These three sections are divided into the head, the thorax and the abdomen. Their heads are the largest, paired with big eyes and connected to jointed antennae. In terms of size, ants are small creatures. Their size can range from a millimeter or two up to an inch. Although they are very small, they have great strength. Experts report that ants can carry anywhere between 10 and 50 times their own weight. Ants use their strength to their advantage and are often seen pooling their strength alongside other worker ants in their colony.
Their color and description vary based on the species. The bigheaded ant, Florida carpenter ant and pharaoh ant are typically red, while the crazy ant and the red imported fire ant are more of a reddish-brown color. The ghost ant is frequently bicolored, with a dark brown and white body. Some ants are easier to identify than others. For example, the bigheaded ant can be detected because of its large head. However, many ants require a professional to identify which species is present.
WHERE DO ANTS LIVE?
Ants live in nests alongside thousands of others. Each colony consists of three types of ants: the queen, the worker ants and the males. Each member has a specific job to build their nests. When outdoors, ant nests tend to be found in ground soil, under rocks or even in decaying plants. Ants can also make their homes in trees or logs. While some ant nests are found in secluded areas, these pests will not hesitate to create an ant hill in an open and visible area. Often, ant hills can be overlooked as large piles of soil or dirt. However, real ant nests will have a small hole in the center of the hill for ants to enter and exit the colony. When an ant nest is disturbed, such as it being stepped on or damaged, thousands of ants will start to move outwards.
If ants have moved indoors, they can create nests within home fixtures. Their nests can often be found within walls, along baseboards and even in moldings. Many ants creep inside through windows or unsealed floors and doors. During the winter, some ants hibernate, depending on temperature. Most ants in St. Cloud do not require hibernation, however, they may be less active in the winter months. Without hibernating, ants will frequently move indoors in the winter to find consistent and predictable temperatures.
WHAT DO ANTS EAT?
Primarily, ants are omnivores, meaning their diet consists of both plant and animal materials. Some eaten plants consist of leaves, nectar, fruits and vegetables. Ants will eat other insects, both living and dead, as well as fungi and insect eggs. It is also suggested that ants are cannibals, often eating other ants inside and outside of their colonies. They will eat almost anything.
Frequently, ants move indoors to seek out food and water sources. Inside, ants are often attracted to sugary foods and drinks. Some spilled syrup or leftover candy may cause ants to gravitate to certain areas of a kitchen or home. Ants may be seen crawling along the edges of countertops seeking out spilled food or drinks.
DAMAGE CAUSED BY ANTS
Depending on the species, ants can cause damage to a home, office or other building. Outside, they can cause issues with outdoor decks, structures and sheds. Issues can arise inside when ants have brought their colonies and nests indoors. Like other pests, ants can chew through wood, wires and insulation. Some ants can cause hollowed holes in wooden beams, leading to costly repairs. While it is unlikely for ants to cause severe structural damage, they remain a nuisance when found inside a Saint Cloud property.
ARE ANTS AGGRESSIVE?
Most ants have defensive habits of biting if they are disturbed. The most aggressive species in this area is likely the red imported fire ant. This pest can repeatedly bite and sting humans when threatened. These bites create a severe sting and leave large welts. Bigheaded ants, crazy ants, Florida carpenter ants, ghost ants and pharaoh ants all bite rather than sting.
DO ANTS CARRY DISEASE?
Usually, ants do not transmit illnesses as other pests do. However, they can still be the culprit behind sickness if they are inside. Primarily, ants are likely to spread food-borne illnesses, such as salmonella or E. coli. Ants are not clean pests, in that they frequently spend time in dirty places, such as garbage cans, sewers and other unsanitary spots. As ants walk throughout a home or building, they can frequently carry bacteria on their feet.
Both E. coli and salmonella are bacteria that can cause food poisoning. When they are ingested, they can lead to mild or severe digestive issues. While these illnesses are typically short-lived, they can cause severe issues in older adults or immunocompromised individuals. Typically, food poisoning causes abdominal cramping, vomiting and diarrhea.
HOW TO DETECT ANTS
Signs of an ant issue may include:
• Seeing a few ants, as this is typically a sign of more ants elsewhere on the property • Ant nests, often looking like large piles of soil or dirt, seen outside • Whizzing or rustling noises heard within wall structures • Small piles of wood or sawdust near outdoor structures • Hollowed out portions of wood beams, especially on outdoor decks or pergolas
HOW TO PREVENT ANTS
To help prevent an ant infestation, the following steps should be taken:
• Refrain from leaving food out and do not allow dirty dishes to remain in the sink overnight. • Seal any potential entry points, even the smallest of cracks, around the exterior of the building. • Clean countertops promptly after any spills. • Keep wood limbs and shrubs manicured near the exterior of a building. • Contact a local pest control provider
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.
