Step outside for a second, and chances are that you'll see an ant walking across your path. With more than 12,000 species in the world, you're going to see a few of these pests here and there no matter where you live. These tiny nuisance pests keep to themselves for the most part, but they'll venture indoors every now and then to raid your pantries for food and to build nests in the most hidden spaces.
Why are Ants a Problem?Ants rarely cause structural damage to properties, except for the carpenter species. These ants build tunnels in wooden fascia, decking and other structures, but they don't eat the wood like termites do. Instead, they build nests within the tunnels and increase their populations. Carpenter ants cause visual damage to homes and can reduce a property's resale value.
Other ant species threaten people and pets with vicious stings, such as fire ants. They build large mounds in yards and attack in unison once a person or an animal steps in the vicinity. Some ants forage for food indoors and lead colony members to sticky spots and crumbs on the floors and counters.
It's not always easy to identify an ant species just by looking at it, especially if you're not a trained pest control professional. It's a good idea to research the pest more clearly using online sources and to narrow down the species before attempting to treat an infestation. Termites look a lot like ants, so if you misidentify the species, it could spell even more trouble for your home down the road.
You can treat an ant infestation with various insecticides that target individual species. Some insecticides offer broad-spectrum control and target more than ants. Others are made specifically to treat ants and the colonies. When fighting ants, there are a few different types of insecticides from which to choose:
Granular insecticides come in sugar- and protein-based varieties and target the ants based on their particular "food mood" at the time. Sometimes they prefer sugar; other times they want protein. Liquid insecticides work quickly and also offer residual control to kill ants on the spot and to wipe out the colony over time. Glue traps capture the ants as they travel along a path and prevent them from returning to the nest.
Ant colonies will only grow in number if you don't take immediate control of the situation. They'll build nests behind baseboards, linger in the cabinets and build mounds on sidewalks, driveways and yards. No matter if you're a professional exterminator or into DIY pest control, there's an insecticide that eliminates the problem quickly and efficiently here at Pedchem.
