GETTING RID OF ANTS FOR GOOD IN YOUR PHOENIX HOME

Ants in Phoenix are always encroaching. They come into our yards. They explore our landscaping. And, eventually, they find a way inside. It is a slow process for an ant because they are tiny insects, but it can seem sudden when a thousand ants appear in your home suddenly. Are you currently dealing with an ant control problem? Have ants invaded your home in large numbers? Are they crawling all over your counters, trash, floors, and walls? If so, you'll find some helpful ant control solutions here. We'll look at common ants in Phoenix, common ant problems, the reasons ants invade your space, and how to get rid of an ant infestation. We'll also tell you how to keep ants out of your home for good. If you need help and want to speak with someone, connect with us. You can call or drop us a line on our contact page for ant pest control in Phoenix. Our pest management professionals have the training and experience to diagnose your problem and offer real solutions. With that said, let's jump right in and talk about common ant pests in Phoenix. Here's what you need to know.

Types Of Ants That Commonly Invade Phoenix Homes

There are so many different ant pests in our region that it would bore you if we talked about each of them. So, rather than drill into the specific details about pavement ants, rover ants, leafcutter ants, forelius ants, pharaoh ants, and all of the other species, let's look at the "types" of ants we have in Phoenix.

Germspreaders: Certain ants have the potential to pick up invisible organisms from dirty places, such as trash bins, dirty mop buckets, drains, toilets, etc. The organisms don't harm the ants but they are harmful to humans, so ants are a vector for bacterial diseases. These ants are attracted to unsanitary conditions.

Woodchewers: A select group of ant species is categorized as carpenter ants. But, don't get the wrong idea. They don't come into your home and fix your furniture or install new cabinets in your kitchen. They're called carpenter ants because they create sawdust. These ants are attracted to moist conditions that lead to wood rot and wood that is damaged by water issues.

Stingers: Some ants sting. They have a stinger on the end of the abdomen. Ants that deliver a sting to humans and wildlife are typically meat eaters. You can deter these ants by considering sources of meat these ants may target, such as rotting chicken in your garbage, an old hotdog on the back grill, or the bugs in your landscaping. Remove food options to deter ants that sting.

Cloggers: Some ants get into your car or truck and clog things up. They also eat away at wire shielding. When they enter your home, they can invade powerboxes and outlets, leading to a short circuit. Targeted control of nests is how to address these ants.

Overwhelmers: Ants that create large colonies, or super colonies, can overwhelm you when they come into your yard or home. There are several pests in Phoenix that fall into this category. The primary way to address these ants is to seal the entry points they use to invade your home. If more control is required in your yard, contact a pest management professional.

These are the ants you are attempting to control, and a few suggestions to help you manage them. We will go into more detail regarding control in a moment. Before we do, let's look at the issues ants create and how your control efforts reduce the threat ants present.

The Many Issues Ants Can Cause In Your Home

We touched on the issues ants cause and how all-natural management methods can deter them. It bears mentioning that all-natural ant pest control also protects your health and property.

Ant-Related Illness: Ants spread germs, microscopic worms, and pathogens. When you clean your home, you will deter these ants. But a clean home doesn't only deter ants. A clean home will make it harder for ants to make you sick.

Property Damage: Carpenter ants can damage your property, over time. The amount of damage they'll do is linked to two factors: access and conducive conditions. Carpenter ants don't chew a hole to enter a home, generally. They will enter through entry points that already exist. When you seal entry points, you deter these ants from accidentally wrecking your home. If you also consider moisture problems, rotting wood, brush piles, honeydew, and other conditions that attract carpenter ants, you further protect your property from extensive damage.

Stinging Ant Allergy: Some individuals are allergic to the sting of fire ants. While rare, it is a potential risk to consider. One sting is all it takes for a serious, and potentially life-threatening, event to occur. Managing protein sources reduces the risk. When you also seal entry points, you add another layer of protection.

Fire: When ants chew the shielding off live wires, and a current passes through the ants, they will regret it. But you'll regret it more. A fire can cause significant damage and threaten your family's safety. Trim branches, cut back vegetation, and seal entry points to keep ants out of your home.

In most cases, ants are a nuisance. When we're called in to address ant problems, it is typically because ants are driving someone crazy. You can deter them from driving you crazy if you know how and why they enter your home.    

How And Why Ants Find Their Way Into Your Home

Ants are driven by food. If they find food in your yard, they'll actively seek food around your home. The more ant activity you have, the greater the chances will be that ants will accidentally find their way indoors. When they enter your home, available food sources may inspire them to stay. So, indoor and outdoor ant control begins with food source management. What do ants eat? Nectar, honeydew, nuts, seeds, fruit, bugs, human food, and decaying human food. Consider ways to remove these food options so that ants don't want to live near your home.

Outdoor Food: Address lawn weeds to reduce nectar. Keep your plants healthy to deter aphids. Pick nuts and fruits up. Remove bird feeders. Protect trash. Clean trash receptacles, and refrain from leaving food sitting outdoors.

Indoor Food: Clean up food debris. Keep food covered when sitting on the counter. Manage your trash receptacles. Store pantry foods in sealed containers.

Once you've considered food sources, it is time to consider entry points. There are many ways an ant can invade your home, and it doesn't need much of a gap or crack. Here are some common entry points.

• Damaged door sweeps allow ants to crawl right under.
• Missing, warped, or damaged weatherstripping can let an ant squeeze past.
• A tiny gap around your water main is more than enough for a little ant.
• A thin gap around a PVC conduit, particularly one that is behind some landscaping, will let ants right in.
• A crack in your foundation wall could provide access if it is deep enough.
• Gaps around door and window frames let ants enter your frame voids.
• Damaged screens may provide access to cracks in your window frames.
• Ants can get past your screens even if they're in good condition. Check the frames around your screens to see if you have any tiny gaps.
• Homes that have weep holes may offer an access route for ants. Make sure you have weep hole protectors installed.

Consider all of these potential points of entry and make repairs or apply caulking material to seal things up. When you also trim branches and vegetation, your exterior will have impeccable protection.      

The Best Way To Get Rid Of Ants In Your Home For Good

All-natural ant control is the right solution for homeowners. These methods don't require specialized knowledge in applying control materials, and they won't make you sick if you apply the wrong products. When targeted ant control is needed, or you want sustained and effective ant control around your home, it is best to get a year-round pest control service plan. Your pest control service provider uses industry-accepted products and methods to achieve the best results with the least amount of materials. Year-round control is ongoing, sustained, and always active. It is also layered. Your pest management professional can apply mound treatments, baits, residual granular materials, liquid barrier treatments, repellents, and more.

Are you in Phoenix? Do you have an indoor ant infestation or ant problems growing in your yard? Overson Pest Control can help you find the right solution. Our service team is an Angie's List Super Service Award winner. We are proud to service Phoenix with industry-leading pest control solutions. Connect with us today and share your pest concerns. We can guide you over the phone, by e-mail, or in person. You don't have to live with ants getting inside your home. We can help you stop those ants for good.