Ant Identification & Prevention

What are ants?

Ants are social insects that live and work together in large groups and are in almost any habitat. The sheer size of their colonies and the small size of the individual ants make it difficult for people to keep these pests out of their homes. An ant’s three distinct body regions, short antennae, and defined waist make it easy to identify these regular household invaders.

In our region, the following ants regularly take over our yards and homes:

• Argentine ants
• Velvety tree ants
• Pharaoh ants
• Pavement ants
• Crazy ants
• Fire ants

Are ants dangerous?

The majority of ants we come across are nuisance ants and, while they are unwelcome in our yards and homes, and contaminate our food sources, they are more annoying than dangerous.

Some ants do pose significant dangers, though. Dangerous ants in our area include carpenter ants, fire ants, and Pharaoh ants. Carpenter ants nest inside and damage structural wood, Pharaoh ants spread disease-causing pathogens to people that can make us quite ill, and fire ants are aggressive and deliver painful bites and stings.

No matter the species, ants are always unwelcome, and at first sight of these pests on your property, you should take immediate action to eliminate them.

Why do I have an ant problem?

Ants are omnivores and feed upon many of the same foods we do, they have learned that living near or inside our homes or businesses is beneficial. Our trash cans, gardens, grill areas, and kitchens provide them with food sources that worker ants can gather and bring back to the nest. Our properties also offer water sources for ants to take advantage of, with things like leaky pipes and poor ventilation providing them with the moisture many of these ants are searching for.

Where will I find ants?

You can find ants almost anywhere. Some species like the Pharaoh ant are a mainly structural pest, while others, like fire ants, nest primarily outdoors. Some favorite indoor and outdoor nesting locations include the following:

• Wall voids
• Structural wood near windows, doors, or leaky pipes
• Behind sinks or tubs
• Open grassy areas
• The soil under fallen trees, woodpiles, or landscaping ties
• Under mulch
• Tree stumps

How do I get rid of ants?

Ants are tiny terrors that have learned to live with people, making keeping them out of our homes difficult. When you first see these pests on your property, reach out to ProServ Pest Management. Our highly trained and experienced professionals will provide you with the services needed to eliminate these troublesome pests from your home.

Using the latest pest control products, methods, and technologies, we work closely with our customers to ensure your pest problems are solved! If you would like to learn more about eliminating ants from your Sacramento area residential or commercial property, reach out to us today!

How can I prevent ants in the future?

In addition to our home pest control and commercial pest control services, protect your property from pests with the following prevention tips:

• Keep ants out of your home by sealing cracks in the foundation and exterior walls.
• Place covers over vents and close spaces around wires and cables entering into your home.
• Make sure weatherstripping is in place around windows and doors.
• Eliminate sources of standing water from your property.
• Trash cans and recycling bins should always have tight-fitting lids on them.
• Trim back trees and bushes from the sides of your home or business.
• Remove woodpiles, rock piles, fallen trees, and other harborage sites from your property.

Latest Blogs

Stay informed about pests and pest related issues in your area!

View All Blogs

Request Your Free Quote