Common Types Of Home-Invading Ants In Huntsville
Ants are small insects with hard exteriors or exoskeletons. There are more than 10,000 species worldwide! There are many ants native to the Huntsville area. The most common ants in the Huntsville area include the Argentine ant, the carpenter ant, and the fire ant. There are many other ant species that may plague your Huntsville home; knowing which species you're dealing with is important. Checking with the experts at Morton's Pest Control can help.
The Argentine ant is typically light to dark brown in color; they are very tiny, measuring only up to a quarter of a centimeter long. They are nest builders and prefer to build their nests somewhere private and close to a water source. Since the Argentine ant is extremely adaptable and has more than one reproductive queen in each colony, they can produce overwhelmingly large numbers in little time.
The carpenter ant is huge compared to the Argentine ant, measuring up to a full centimeter in length. Carpenter ants are famous for eating wood and creating nests within wooden structures. Typically black and with a large set of mandibles for chomping, these ants tend to have only one queen per nest. However, carpenter ants are capable of creating satellite colonies off of the main colony if conditions are ripe. As such, their numbers can swell surprisingly fast.
Fire ants are the tiniest of the three, ranging from one eighth to one half of a centimeter in length. They are reddish in color and notorious for their sting, hence their name. Fire ant nests tend to be underground; however, occasionally, they are visible above the soil. Fire ants are very aggressive insects and, in some cases, invasive.
All The Problems Ants Can Create In Homes
Ants create quite the headache when they get into our homes. Their large numbers and tiny size allow them to get into everything. Ants will spread and forage for food in your cabinets and your pantry, crawling across your surfaces in the process, leaving behind a trail of bacteria that can make family members sick.
Homes are also susceptible to physical damage. For example, carpenter ants burrow and tunnel into the wood, weakening it from the inside out. Most homes use wooden beams and framing when being built. Carpenter ants essentially destroy the skeleton of your home, causing thousands of dollars in property damage.
Additionally, some ants cause bodily harm. Fire ants attack when they feel threatened. Their sting causes pain, itchiness, and swelling. Small children, pets, or those with severe allergies may have a stronger or even fatal reaction. Furthermore, fire ants will often swarm and sting their victim all at once, increasing the chance for a negative reaction.
Four Naturally Effective Ant Prevention Tips
Huntsville residents can prep their property for the coming ant season to avoid an infestation. Some easy, natural, and effective ways to prevent ants include:
- Take care of spills and leaks as soon as they occur. Ants are attracted to moisture, so keeping your property free of excess moisture is a must.
- Keep your yard tidy and trimmed back away from the house.
- Store food in airtight containers.
- Inspect soil and mulch before placing them in your yard.
The Secret To Total Ant Control For Huntsville Homes
The only way to guarantee total ant control for Huntsville homes is to work with an expert pest control team, like Morton's Pest Control. We inspect, treat, and follow up to keep you and your Huntsville home happy and ant-free. Give Morton's Pest Control a call today!
