Wednesday, September 30, 2015

THE DANGERS OF HAVING ANTS IN A HOUSE: HOW TO GET RID OF THEM SAFELY WITH OUT HARMING FRIENDS, PETS AND FAMILY

Ants are a very common household pest, and tens of thousands of homes across the United States become infested with the insects every year. An ant infestation can be difficult to treat, especially because there are so many different types of ants that end up in homes in the U.S.

Ant Pest Control: Sugar Ants, Carpenter Ants & More

The following ant species are all common pests that you may encounter:

• Black Ants. Linepithema humile is the scientific name for black ants, which are also called sugar ants and Argentine ants. If you have an infestation of these ants, you’re likely to see the insects traveling across your floor in lines, seeking out sugar and food waste. Often, they take up residence in the kitchen. Black ants typically do not pose a threat to people or property, but they can be a major nuisance. Effective pest control for black ants must involve locating the entire colony and eliminating it.

• Fire Ants. Solenopsis invicta or the fire ant is a small 1.6 to 5-millimeter ant that is bright red in color. These ants will bite humans who get too close, so prompt pest control for fire ants needs to be completed at the first sign of the pests. You’ll often see fire ants in swarms in an infested home. Outside, the ants often form mounds that look like sand. You’re most likely to see these after it rains.

• Carpenter Ants. Camponotus or Carpenter ants burrow into wood that has become soft due to age and moisture. The ants can cause severe structural damage if they are not dealt with properly, making rapid pest control for carpenter ants important. The most common sign of a carpenter ant infestation is piles of sawdust in areas that the ants have infiltrated.

• Flying Ants. Winged ants or alates are ants with noticeable white wings. It’s possible to find just one winged ant in a home, as the insects can fly in through an open door or window; however, flying ants can set up colonies in homes. While alates usually aren’t harmful, most people do seek out services for pest control for flying ants because they are a nuisance.

• Moisture ant  is a collective name that includes a number of ant species in two major genera which are superficially similar in appearance and size. Both are wood invaders. These are the yellow ants, which are not found in Washington, and the cornfield ants. They may be nesting in damp soil outside or under the house, beneath sidewalks, along foundations, or under debris and rocks in the yard.


Dealing With Ants: Do-it-yourself pest control

For homeowners that are plagued by ants, there are natural pest controls, ant pesticides and ant traps offered on the market for DIY ant removal. While these products can help to temporarily eliminate ants, in most cases, they are not capable of fully removing the infestation. The reason why is that often it’s necessary to use measures for pest control for ants outside as well as inside, and homeowners usually do not have the knowledge or expertise to properly treat both the exterior and interior of homes.

If you’re not able to determine how the ants are getting in and locate the entire colony, ants are likely to just come back. As a result, it’s best to leave ant removal up to the professionals. If you’re in the Seattle, Kirkland, Issaquah, Samammish, Bellevue, Mercer island, Redmond, Kent, Woodinville or Renton areas, Seattle Ant Control Exterminators can help you deal with your ant problems. Contact us today for more information or to schedule an inspection.

EXTERMINATORS REPORTS ON CHANGING TEMPERATURES BRING ANT PROBLEMS

SEATTLE, Wash. - As the Summer rolls out and the median temperatures of Autumn begin, ant infestations pick up in Seattle area homes and businesses.  This means serious headaches and possible costly fixes if the infestation is not correctly controlled.
Commercially available sprays and control devices may work for a short time, but the constant need to reapply and retreat becomes more and more costly.  All the while, different ant species find their way into homes via routes that homeowners using sprays may not think of or reach.
Infestations normally start with food, sweet foods in particular.  Any food that is not tightly sealed correctly will certainly become filled with ants and need immediate disposal outside of the home.
Food infestations are an issue, but the more destructive ants, those that feed on wood cellulose, can be the most destructive.  Repairs can quickly reach into the tens of thousands of dollars if left untreated.
The solution lies in professional treatment by certified, licensed professionals exterminators with Seattle Ants Control.  Their team of pest exterminators come on site to do a thorough inspection before starting any treatment.  The homeowner is fully involved in the process and is not caught unaware of a startling bill for services.
Each member of the Seattle Ants Control team is fully licensed and bonded with the state, so homeowners can relax in comfort knowing their pest control issues are fully in hand.    All of the chemical treatments and control agents are safe during application.
Ant exterminators treat both inside and outside of the home and areas where the homeowner may not have considered or checked for infestation.  Areas around drains, pipes and any egress to the outside are a potential ant route, and the staff of Seattle Ants Control will take every step to ensure a full and complete control each and every time.
How to kill and get rid of ants
Ants may enter your house foraging for food or seeking shelter. Understanding the behavior of ants will help you with the recommended pest control procedures. They enter through any access points they can find, foraging for water or food. They are in search of either sweet based food or protein/grease based foods. Once they find a food source, ants will leave a pheromone trail for other ants to follow. Ants are a social insect that live in colonies. Treatment plans should include killing the entire ant colony. Just spraying an ant with a typical ant spray, particularly a repellent spray will only kill a few at best.