Life is a combination of attraction and repulsion. Although it takes time, we go through our preparation ritual because we don't want people to be repelled by a strange or off-putting odor when they are around us. On the other hand, there are probably things you carry or do to repel people. You may have a mace or a pocket-sized air horn, or you may scream for help when you sense a dangerous person coming your way. 

Life is a combination of attraction and repulsion, not only for us but also for ants and other pests. When you wake up and stumble into the kitchen to get your morning cup of coffee and see a line of ants traveling along the baseboard, your first inclination is to eliminate them. While that action is understandable and necessary, the question is: What attracts ants to my kitchen? Conversely, the follow-up question should be: How can I repel ants and keep them out of my house? 

We will answer those questions, but when ants invade your house, the first step is to secure pest control in Vero Beach from HomeShield Pest Control. From our humble beginning in the garage of Ian Morgan's parents 15 years ago to becoming recognized as a Fortune 5000 Company by Inc. Magazine as one of the fastest-growing private companies in the country, our mission has remained the same: to focus on our customers and solve their pest problems. Nearly 3,000 satisfied customers have given us a 5-star Google rating because we take the time to listen to your concerns and take appropriate action to ensure your satisfaction.

Please continue reading to learn why ants are in your home, what you can do to end the current infestation, and how to repel them in the future.

How To Identify Types of Ants In Vero Beach

Ants are insects with six jointed legs, an external skeleton (exoskeleton), two clubbed antennae, and a three-part body with a narrow waist. Although there are thousands of ant species worldwide, these types of ants cause the most problems for Vero Beach homeowners: 

  • Argentine ants

  • Carpenter ants

  • Fire ants

  • Ghost ants

  • Odorous house ants

If you have walked barefoot in your yard, you are probably familiar with fire ants, but the others may be mysterious, so let's examine each species to identify the ants in your home. 

Argentine ants are aggressive 1/16 to 1/4 inch dark brown to black ants that will attack other ant species and quickly overtake their territory. Argentine ants create pheromone-laced paths to and from food and water sources, resulting in long lines of ants climbing trees or moving through your house. Because an Argentine ant colony may have several queens, they quickly can create new satellite colonies throughout a home. 

Although they do not eat wood like termites, carpenter ants create smooth tunnels in damp wood to create nests and chambers. These 1/2 to 5/8 inch red, brown, black, or red and black ants can weaken the structure in your home over a few years. Because they invade water-damaged wood, they are in crawl spaces, basements, and around leaking water pipes in the house. 

Although fire ants occasionally invade homes by traveling through HVAC system ductwork, these 1/8 to 3/8 inch dark reddish brown ants reside primarily in fields and yards where they construct large two to four-foot mounds. Fire ants are so-called because their stingers deliver venom that causes painful and itching fluid-filled blisters to appear. 

Ghost ants are so-named because of their translucent and tiny bodies. These 1/16-inch insects have a dark brown head and thorax with a pale yellow abdomen and legs. The nuisance factor of these ants is enhanced because they produce a rotten coconut-like odor when crushed. When they invade a home, they nest in wall voids and between cabinets. 

Another ant that produces a similar odor when crushed or threatened is the odorous house ant. These brown or black ants have a 1/16 to 1/8-inch body and construct nests near hot water pipes, heaters, and inside termite-damaged wood.

 HomeShield Pest Control provides ant control for homeowners for all types of ants in Vero Beach homes.

carpenter ants crawling near a puddle of water

How And Why Ants Find Their Way Inside

Ants are content to live outdoors in the dirt underneath logs, rocks, woodpiles, and other debris; however, when there is a drastic temperature decline or a dry season, they seek food and water elsewhere. When their antennae detect aromas or warmth coming from a nearby home, they attempt to enter. 

Because ants are tiny insects, they can squeeze through nearly cracks and crevices in the foundation, masonry, and around window and door frames. Thanks to the claw-like tarsi on the bottom of their feet, ants can climb up trees and bushes using them as thoroughfares onto your house. Some species travel along incoming pipes and utility lines to achieve entry into homes. 

Ants are omnivores and consume anything that has protein, fat, and carbohydrates. Dead insects, meats, cheeses, and pet foods are protein sources; honeydew, sugar, sweets, oats, and other grains are carbohydrate sources, and grease is the primary fat source. 

Ants not only need food, but they require moisture. When they invade a home, they often live near leaking plumbing fixtures, appliances, water heaters, sinks, and potted plants, and some species (e.g., odorous house ants) live in termite-damage moistened wood. Ants also find shelter in poorly ventilated, humid rooms (e.g., bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms), crawl spaces, basements, and attics.

Ants enter Vero Beach homes seeking shelter. Ants are cold-blooded insects that cannot produce warmth. Therefore, warm, moist locations are necessary for their survival. If outdoor temperatures dramatically decrease and they detect warmer air coming from your home, they will try to enter. 

When a HomeShield Pest Control licensed and trained technician investigates your home for ant pest control, we will identify attractants and entry points into your home.

The Factors That Can Attract Ants To Your Home

Now that you know the general attractants (food, water, and shelter), we will get more specific. The following factors can result in ant infestations: 

  • Open garbage cans

  • Crumbs

  • Grease spills

  • Poorly ventilated rooms

  • Leaking pipes

  • Potted plants

  • Pet foods

  • Improperly stored foods

  • Exposed foods

We will unpack each one to help you better understand why these attract ants. 

Open garbage cans produce aromas that ants find attractive. Once they detect the smell and discover they can access the contents, they create pheromones to lead other ants to the source. Keeping indoor and outdoor garbage containers closed is a simple ant prevention tip.

Crumbs may consist of some or all of the macronutrients. These are in the back corners of pantries, underneath appliances, or at the base of kitchen cabinets where they are out of sight. Suctioning out corners and cracks will prevent crumbs. Grease build-up and spills are a part of cooking, but they are attractive to ants. After cooking a meal, wipe down cooking and eating surfaces to eliminate this attractant. 

Ants find poorly ventilated areas attractive. Installing dehumidifiers or extra vents often remedy the situation. Implementing these ideas deters ants from invading and discourages drywood, subterranean, and Formosan termites from entering your home. Leaking pipes cause nearby wood to become saturated, which also contributes to high humidity levels and serves as an attractant for ants (and termites). 

Because potted plants have a high moisture content, they can attract ants. However, the main enticement for many ants is the aphids that live in the plants. Aphids produce honeydew, which is a favorite food for many ant species. 

Pet foods, poorly packaged products, and exposed foods (e.g., fruit bowls attract ants. Store pet foods in airtight containers before going to bed. Keep fruits in the refrigerator or a sealed container instead of in an exposed bowl. Place food products in sealable containers upon purchase. 

When an experienced HomeShield Pest Control service technician comes to provide ant control in your house, we can alert you to additional attractants.

Professional Pest Control: A Smart Ant Control Solution

When you notice a line of ants along the baseboards or across the countertops, furniture, and inside your cabinets, you need home pest control services from HomeShield Pest Control. We will dispatch a trained, certified service technician to inspect your Vero Beach home for entry points, attractants, and hot spots and to identify the offending species. 

We will create a plan to eliminate ants in your home using the information gathered from the investigation and your input. Our initial treatment will address hot spots inside the house to eradicate the adult population; it will also disrupt their life cycle and prevent future generations from developing. 

Next, we will focus on the exterior and create a three-foot barrier around the house to deter future infestations. Since ants often live underneath rocks, stones, mulch, and bushes, we treat those areas and concrete cracks. Because ants often enter through the garage, we will inspect that area and create a barrier to stop ants from entering in the future. 

HomeShield Pest Control offers complete protection for ants and all invading pests. Contact us today to learn more about our pest control programs and to request your free quote.