There is an ongoing dilemma about whether to regard ants as pests or as beneficial insects. They are helpful to flowering plants because they help in the pollination process. However, sometimes they cause trouble in the garden and inside the home.
In severe infestations, ants can destroy accessories and essentials in the household. This includes food packaging, clothing, electrical wiring in appliances, cardboard, and frames. When they get too desperate in looking for a stable place to shelter their queen, they will do anything to achieve it regardless of what they need to destroy on their path.
As noble as this seems, it’s a different story when the answer only targets in your humble abode. It can lead to nuisances and disturbances in the household.
Did you know that some ants are more dangerous than others? If you don’t believe me, here are the topmost ants to deal with at home:
Topmost Ants To Deal With At Home
Bulldog Ants
Out of all the 12,500 ant species in the world, the bulldog ant holds a record-breaking title in the ant kingdom. They are known as the most dangerous ants that ever lived. Their bites can kill an average-sized human adult within fifteen minutes. Although this is commonly found in Australia, who knows if it has already migrated to other parts of the world. If I were you, I’d keep a close eye on this ant. You don’t know if it’s already in your garden. Or worse, it’s already in your home.
Siafu Ants
This is one of the most common creatures in the United States. In our language, it is also called the army ant. These creatures got their name because of their ability to swarm everything in their path, leaving only the remains of their victims. These creatures do not have permanent nests. They move around whenever they need food. The first animal or insect they see is dinner. They don’t even care how big it is as long as they have something to fill their stomachs.
Fire Ants
This is another aggressive ant species found in the United States. Just like army ants, they swarm their enemies. The difference is, fire ants can secrete a specific odor or pheromone that entices other ants to attack.
Bullet Ants
The bullet ant is famous for its excruciatingly painful bite. The reason it’s called a bullet ant is that its sting is as painful as a gunshot wound. It’s also called the 24-hour ant because the searing pain it causes lasts about one day. To some of you who haven’t experienced being shot yet, try getting bitten by a bullet ant. That should get that activity off your bucket list.
Common Method To Eliminate Ants
Now that you know the dangers brought by these creatures, it’s time we know how to eliminate them on your own. Here are the common methods recommended by experts to eliminate ants:
Search For The Ant Nest
This is the number one step to eliminate ant infestations in your home or backyard. Most ants prefer damp places. It could be under the full force of your kitchen and bathroom. Outside, they usually build their nests near the gutters and canals for moisture. You can also find them under the trees or bushes. Here’s a practical way to spot the location of anthills! Follow their trails and see where it leads you.
Spray It With Insecticides
Once you finally found the nest, spray it with an insecticide. Don’t forget to read the instructions first to follow the recommendations of the manufacturer.
One quick tip in choosing a chemical for pest control, make sure that the insecticide is certified by the authorities. This ensures its effectiveness and safety. Don’t settle for products just because it is more affordable. Sometimes, you need to invest in more expensive assets to ensure its quality and to avoid regrets.
According to experts, it’s best to apply insecticides on anthills early in the morning or late at night. Apply the chemical regularly until you no longer see any trail, nest, and mound.
Trap The Ants
For this, you need the following ingredients: boric acid or borax, sugar, and containers. The first step to create a trap is to mix the borax with sugar and place it near the anthills. Once the ants get in contact with the substance, do not kill them. Let them carry the chemical to their colony so it can spread to the entire group. This will not only kill the soldier ants and the worker ants but also the queen. With frequent reapplications, you can eliminate the colony for good.
Use Diatomaceous Earth
This is one of the most cost-effective methods to eliminate pests. Not only does this target want but also cockroaches, bedbugs, and fleas. Aside from its affordability, it is easy to apply. You only need to sprinkle a generous amount of the powder on pest-infested areas and spread it thinly using a cloth or a broom. Every insect to get in contact with the powder experiences a prickly effect on their body. Eventually, this destroys their exoskeleton and dehydrates them from the outside in.
Remove Ant Trails
Ant trails are the common signs of an ant infestation. One way to disrupt their activities is to eliminate the scent on that trail. To do that, mix one part of distilled vinegar with three parts of water. Place it in a spray bottle and apply it directly to the ant trails. This will leave the ants confused, causing most of them to fall off and die. Their colony will not have enough food considering their workers have experienced some difficulties bringing food to their nests.
Get An Ant Barrier
If all else fails, one method you could try is to purchase an ant barrier. You can buy these in the nearest hardware stores and department stores at a reasonable price. Most of the products have “pest barriers” labeled on the containers. So, it’s easier for you to pick. Like we discussed before, purchase a reliable and approved pest barrier for effectiveness, safety, and quality.
Pre-Extermination Protocols
If these methods fail, call Winston-Salem area exterminatorsto do the job for you. Not only are they quick in responding to infestations, but also offer premium-quality extermination strategies. Experts recommend consumers to have professionals on their speed dial so they can contact them whenever there are emergencies. Once you do, here are their initial protocols before applying pest control methods:
Identify The Species
The first thing that an exterminator does to get rid of ants is to identify the species present in the environment. Exterminators use unique methods for different ant species, which is why they need to probe the type of ants they are dealing with.
What Is The Type Of Infestation?
After identifying the type of insect, they will determine the type and severity of the infestation. Before the pest control professional applies the methods for pest control, he needs to gather as much information about the infestation. He needs to know where the nest is and how many colonies are present. He also needs to consider the people who reside in the home or apartment. This way, he can identify the best and the safest methods to eliminate pest infestations.
Most pest control professionals concentrate their expertise on homes and backyards. If you’re leasing your place, don’t worry. There’s a reliable Winston-Salem pest control service for apartments ready to serve you.
Apply Pest Control Measures
After thorough assessments, the professional will apply the necessary methods for pest control. Here are the common strategies used by exterminators during ant control:
- Foggers are effective if the ants are in between walls or underneath the floorboards. However, before the professional applies these, thorough preparation is needed. The family needs to secure their belongings and get away from their house until they finish the extermination. This way, they are protected from the fumes and residue of the insecticide.
- Baits. Pest control professionals use gel baits for ants. It is a handy solution that is effective if the anthill or nest is at the surface. The exterminator will apply the bait near the ant-infested areas and wait for the ants to ingest it.
- Ant dust. Exterminators usually apply ant dust directly into the mounds. This will cause frolic in the colony, pushing the ants to come in contact with the powder. When they do, it kills them instantly.
As small as ants are, they can be dangerous to humans and animals. This gives us more reason to control their population in the household. For the ultimate pest protection program, contact Go-Forth Home Services.
Go-Forth Home Services offers the safest and most effective methods for households and apartments. The best part is, they offer all of their services at an affordable price.
Financial constraints should not be a reason not to achieve that perfect life you deserve. What are you waiting for? Contact the experts and achieve the pest-free environment you always dreamed of.