Ant Identification

The ant is an insect with three distinct body regions, short antennae, and a defined waist; their size and shape make it easy for most people to identify them. Ants have a very varied diet and eat many of the same foods we do, which is why they are so attracted to the areas we live in or spend our time.

Ants are persistent, frequent invaders of our California properties and pests that we need to take steps against to prevent from taking over our yards and homes. It is difficult to feel comfortable in any space where ants are crawling all around.

Common invaders of our properties, ants certainly are a nuisance to deal with, difficult to prevent, and challenging to get rid of. But ants are more than just a nuisance; they can be dangerous. Some of the more significant problems an ant infestation can create include:

• Structural damage in and around our homes
• Spreading disease and bacteria over surfaces
• Contaminate food sources in kitchen and pantry areas
• Biting or stinging people and our pets
• Getting into electrical equipment and causing electrical shorts

The search for food and water never ends for ants. Ants are social insects, living and working together in large groups; often, a single colony has multiple nesting sites. It is a big job for worker ants to gather enough food to feed all their colony members.

Ants have a great sense of smell and odors from gardens, trash cans, compost bins, pet food bowls, and food prep areas commonly attract these pests to our properties. Once they find a reliable food source, the worker ants will alert other colony members by laying down pheromone trails. Ants are difficult pests to deter from your home once they have discovered a reliable food source.

Ants nest successfully outside in wooded areas, fallen trees, gardens, lawns, fields, and meadows. If given the opportunity, ants will also move into our homes, our temperature-controlled structures provide them with a safe place to nest. Ants are tiny in size and can get into our homes through the smallest cracks and spaces, traveling through the foundation, gaps under doors, vents, and openings around utilities. Once inside, regular nesting spots include behind walls, under floors, inside insulation, attics, and crawlspaces.

Don’t try to tackle an ant infestation on your own; take the stress out of ant control by partnering with a local professional. At HomeShield Pest Control, we offer fast action and comprehensive pest control services that are kid-friendly, pet-friendly, and eco-friendly. We are committed to providing long-term solutions that will help you maintain a property that is free of ants and other common household pests.

Don’t share your home with ants for one more day; reach out to HomeShield Pest Control for effective ant control treatments! If you live in the Sacramento Valley or Southern California and want to learn more about our residential or commercial pest control services, give us a call today!

Some of our most helpful ant control tips to make your yard and house less appealing to the ants that call California home are listed below.

• Remove brush piles, fallen trees, landscaping ties, large rocks, and other debris from your yard where ants can nest.
• Keep lids on trash cans and recycling bins to keep ants from moving in and out of them as they forage for food to bring back to their colony.
• Seal spaces in the foundation, install door sweeps on exterior doors, make sure weatherstripping is placed around windows and doors to help keep ants out of your home.
• Eliminate moisture that attracts ants by repairing leaky pipes and poor ventilation, and use dehumidifiers.
• Keep your kitchen and outdoor eating areas free of food debris, spills, and leftover food that will offer ants a food source and attract them to your yard and home.