There are certain pests that have become so commonplace in our lives that we often don’t think about them as pests until we find them in our homes. One such pest that we face here in Pocatello is the ant. Ants are common home invaders that can spread germs, contaminate food, and even destroy property. As such, you need to do everything in your power to keep them out of your Pocatello home. Moreover, should you find yourself dealing with an ant infestation, you need to know the effective ant control solutions that you can count on to get rid of it.
Identifying Common Area Ants
There are thousands of species of ants in the world. Here in Pocatello, however, we only need to worry about a handful of them. Some common home-invading ants in the area include pavement ants, odorous house ants, harvester ants, carpenter ants, and fire ants. These ants vary in size from 1/16th of an inch to over an inch long depending on the species. They can be yellow, red, brown, black, or a combination of these colors. All ants have six legs, segmented bodies, and mandibles. Moreover, certain ants have other distinguishing characteristics. For instance, some carpenter ants (swarmers) have wings.
Similarly, just as all ants vary somewhat in appearance, they all present different threats and challenges, as well. For instance, some can contaminate food with bacteria and pathogens that can lead to salmonellosis and typhoid fever. Moreover, fire ants can inflict painful bites which cause a burning sensation in the affected area. Finally, carpenter ants can destroy your property as they build large nests inside of wood, damaging it in the process. As such, no matter which species of ant you come across, you don’t want it in your Pocatello home.
How Do Ants Get Into Homes?
Ants typically enter homes through cracks in the foundation, openings around doors and windows, or holes on the exterior of the home. To seal off these possible entry points, you should:
- Fill in cracks in your home’s foundation with caulk.
- Install door sweeps under exterior doors.
- Install weather-stripping around windows and exterior doors.
- Cover holes around your home’s exterior such as around vents, pipes, or utility lines.
Why Do Ants Enter Homes?
As for why ants enter into homes, more often than not the answer is the availability of food or water. Therefore, removing any areas that may serve as food or water sources can help to keep ants from entering your home. To do this, you should:
- Store all food in airtight containers or the refrigerator.
- Wipe up any crumbs or spills from countertops or floors immediately.
- Refrain from keeping dirty dishes stacked in your sink.
- Store trash in containers with tight-fitting lids.
- Take out the trash regularly and don’t let it overflow.
- Fix leaky pipes or fixtures and ensure all drains are working properly.
The Best Method Of Ant Control For Your Pocatello Home
Even with the proper preventative measures, you could still find yourself dealing with an ant infestation in your Pocatello home. If such is the case, don’t hesitate to call the professionals here at Falls Pest Services for assistance.
Here at Falls Pest Services, we offer quality pest control that you can count on to effectively eliminate any ant infestation with which you are dealing. Furthermore, should you opt for one of our ongoing service plans, we will ensure your home remains pest-free all year long. Don’t let ants make their home inside of yours. Give us a call today to get started.