Ants are more than just annoying insects that can invade your home. They are dangerous creatures that can contaminate your food and leave you and your family very sick. At EcoTech Pest Management, we are a locally owned and operated company that has been providing specialized pest control in Sacramento for over 20 years. Keep reading to learn the best way to handle an ant infestation in your home.
Does One Ant Mean An Infestation?
Ants are social insects that live in large colonies. Depending on the species, you may find 25,000 or more ants living in one nest. When they come into your home, they will usually build their nest inside the insulation in your attic and between the walls.
While they spend most of the time staying out of sight, a few ants, called workers or scouts, will come out of hiding to search for food. Once the ants find food, they will emit pheromones that will alert the other worker ants where to go. This is usually the time when you see long lines of ants walking around your home.
If you see only one ant, it could mean someone inadvertently brought it into your home. However, it is more likely that you are seeing a scout ant that is looking for food to take back to its nearby nest.
Are Ants In The House Such A Big Deal?
Some of the ants that are commonly found in Sacramento have the ability to bite and sting people. While usually harmless, some people can be allergic to an ant sting and suffer serious side effects after being stung.
Ants are also extremely dirty insects that will pick up a wide variety of bacteria and other harmful pathogens while they crawl over garbage cans and other filthy areas. They can easily spread these harmful viruses and bacteria to you and your family if they can come into contact with your food. Some of the illnesses you can catch from an ant include shigellosis, salmonellosis, and E. coli infections.
How Do You Prevent Ants In The House?
Ants are very small. The average ant will only measure around an eighth of an inch long. Because they are so small, ants are able to easily sneak into your home and go undetected for long periods of time. If you want to keep ants out of your home, some of the things that you can try include:
- Keep your sugars, cookies, and other dry foods in a sealable container.
- Sweep, mop, and vacuum your floors regularly to ensure that there are no food particles lying around your home.
- Keep your windows and doors shut unless they have a screen properly installed on the outside.
- Check the outside of your home and seal any gaps or cracks that might allow ants into your home.
- Don't leave your pet's water and food dishes out all night.
- Don't hang hummingbird feeders close to your house.
Ants are also attracted to moist and humid areas. Make sure that every room in your home is well-ventilated. Also, check to see if you have any leaky faucets or pipes or drainage issues around your home and make repairs as needed.
How Do You Get Rid Of Ant Infestation?
The best way to get rid of an ant infestation in your Sacramento home is to get a home pest control professional to take care of it. At EcoTech Pest Management, we understand that every pest problem comes with its own set of unique challenges. Our experienced technicians have spent decades coming up with inventive ways to overcome these challenges. Give us a call today to schedule an inspection.
