Ants
Ants are insects and are identified by having three distinct body regions: head, thorax, and abdomen. They also have antennae, and the reproductive members are winged. Common household pests throughout Texas and all of the United States, these pests live and work together in large groups, making them difficult to control. Some of the most common species found living throughout our area include:
Carpenter Ants
Carpenter ants are wood-destroying pests and make up one of the largest species of property-invading ants living throughout the U.S.
Most are black, but some can be red, yellow, or a combination of those colors. Workers have large, strong jaws that they use to tunnel through the wooden structures they invade. Unlike termites, carpenter ants tunnel through wood to create nesting areas and don’t feed on the wood they have invaded.
Fire Ants
Fire ants are known for being extremely aggressive pests. They swarm together to attack any animal or person that comes into close contact with their nest. They are reddish-brown in color and grow to between 1/8 and 3/8 of an inch. A fire ant colony can easily be identified by their large, flat, irregular-shaped nests that they create in open, sunny areas – making yards a place that they commonly invade.
Odorous House Ants
Odorous house ants are a small species that range from brown to black in color and look very similar to most other species of ant. The best way to distinguish this species from others is by its smell; as their name suggests, they produce a very foul smell when they are crushed that is likened to that of rotten coconut.
Are Ants Dangerous?
While most ants are just annoying and might mess up food, some, like fire ants and pharaoh ants, can be harmful to our health. Carpenter ants, on the other hand, can be a big problem as they damage homes and can mess with electrical stuff, even causing fires.
Why do I have an ant problem?
Ants become a problem when your property gives them food, water, and shelter. If they get what they need, they thrive and are hard to control. Ants come to your home or business if there are things like compost piles, kitchen crumbs, decaying wood, gardens, leaks, outdoor eating areas, pet food, or good nesting spots..
Where do ants nest?
Ants set up homes and search for food inside and outside your place. Outside, they like spots between rocks, in tree stumps, woodpiles, under fallen trees, or sunny areas. Inside, they pick hidden places near food, such as above ceilings, behind big appliances, walls, structural wood, under floors, and around pipes in your home or business.
How do I get rid of ants?
To get rid of ants, we recommend contacting a pest control company that has the experience, knowledge, and tools required to completely eliminate the infestation. Ponder Pest Control is a local, family-owned business committed to offering quality service and results. We customize our treatment process to ensure your property’s specific needs are met.
Prevention
In addition to our home and commercial pest control services, protect your property from pests with the following prevention tips:
Exterior Tips
- Inspect the doors, exterior, foundation, siding, and windows of your property and seal any entry points found.
- Outdoor trash cans and compost bins should have tight-fitting or locking lids on them.
- Position firewood piles away from the exterior of your home or business.
- Remove fallen trees, tree stumps, and similar items from your property
- Place a barrier of crushed rock or stone between any mulch or grass and the foundation of your home.
- Reduce areas of moisture around your home or business by maintaining gutters and repairing leaky pipes and fixtures.
Interior Tips
- Remove interior food sources.
- Vacuum, wash dishes, and wipe down counters and tables daily.
- Store food inside the refrigerator and/or in air-tight containers.
- Dispose of trash from your property daily.
- Remove any water-damaged structural wood from your property.