INTRODUCTION. Ants are social insects that live in colonies also called nests. Nests protect the ants against their enemies and offer some protection against the extremes of weather. A pest control operator can divide ants into two kinds; those that can nest in wood and those that usually do not. Some ant species nest on or under the ground (pavement ants) while other species will be found in wood or void areas (carpenter ants). Ant colonies include one or more queens, workers, reproductives, eggs, larvae and pupae. The number of each depends on the species. The worker ants maintain the nest, care for the young and gather food. The queen or queens are responsible for egg laying. The reproductives are responsible for making new colonies also called swarming.
RECOGNITION. All species of ants have three body regions (head, thorax and abdomen) defined by distinct constrictions (hourglass shape). In addition, ants have two antennae and six legs. It is important to note that the different kinds of ants in the same colony do not necessarily look the same. Different colors and sizes are common and the reproductives will most likely have wings. There are many different species of ants in this area. Specific identification is crucial for the purposes of control.
IDENTIFICATION. Carpenter ants are between .5 and 1 inches long and usually black in color. Pavement ants are much smaller and can be brown or black. The biggest ant in this area is a carpenter ant while the smallest is probably the Pharaoh ant, which is less than 2 millimeters long.
HABITS. All species of ants have workers whose purpose is to leave the nest and forage for food. The kind of food will vary with the species and time of year. Many species eat the same kinds of food as we do. That is why they are commonly found in kitchens and bathrooms. A common misconception is that ants actually eat wood. The truth is that some species (carpenter ants) prefer to nest in wood. They can do an incredible amount of damage but do not actually eat the wood. Another common misconception is that ants do not fly. The truth is that most species of ants have reproductives that have wings and can fly (although some fly better than others do).
SIGNS OF INFESTATION MAY INCLUDE:
1. Worker ants visible in or on house.
2. Sawdust with insect parts visible.
3. Unexplained damage to wood.
4. Winged reproductives visible.
CONTROL. Proper identification is the key to successful control. Usually, it is very important to try and locate the nest. The best way to do that is by doing a thorough treatment. Treatment can include a number of different methods including baiting, perimeter barrier spraying or direct application to the nest site. The usual treatment for carpenter ants involves applying an insecticide into the exterior wall voids to find the nest. The usual treatment for pavement ants is to spray or bait the exterior and ground level areas. Of course, each treatment is specifically tailored to the individual circumstances.
RECOMMENDATION. The presence of ants in your home can be a serious problem. The first step is a thorough inspection made by a professional, preferably us. Due to the many different factors involved we feel a professional would serve your needs better than doing it yourself.
Feel free to contact us for a free estimate or further information.
