The Dos And Don'ts Of Ant Control: An Extensive Guide For Greensboro Homeowners

When you have an ant problem, there are things you should do, and things you should definitely not do. Perhaps you've noticed. Have you thrown everything but the kitchen sink at an ant problem only to find out that ants are far more resilient and mysterious than you ever knew? It happens more often than you might think. Today, we're going to take a look at the big picture. We'll examine two things you should do and two things you shouldn't do. These quick dos and don'ts will help you better understand ant problems and get you on track to solving them with effective ant pest control. If you'd rather not learn about ants, we have good news. You don't have to! Your Go-Forth Home Services team is here to give you the support you need. When you need ant control in Greensboro, we have you covered. Call or text for assistance.

Do Know The Warning Signs Of An Ant Problem

If you don't know you have an ant problem, you won't get it fixed. The kind of problem we're talking about is not wall-to-wall ants in your kitchen or pantry. You don't need any tips to detect that. We're talking about the subtle sign that is letting you know there is a bigger problem – or a problem that is about to get bigger.

• A winged ant. When you see a tiny ant with wings, that little ant is telling you something. It lets you know that there is a nest nearby. If you find several winged ants indoors, it is a warning sign of an interior ant nest. Winged ants look like regular ants with wings.
• A scout ant. Long before you see little black ants crawling all over your home, you'll see one little scout exploring. The scout is unique among the workers. It will travel far from the other workers to find food sources. But "far" for an ant isn't far for a human. If you see a scout, you can know for sure that there is an ant nest nearby.
• Mounds. If you're working in your landscaping and you see several mounds near your walls, there is a good chance that ants are routinely entering your home. Mounds are above-ground evidence of underground nests. If you see mounds appearing in your lawn, it is a warning sign that conditions are attracting ants to your yard, such as a weed problem or some other pest problem.
• Holes and frass. When you notice a hole forming in a structural timber or a sawdust material leaking from a crack, it is a warning sign that carpenter ants are near. A carpenter ant infestation is the kind of ant problem that can cause lots of trouble just out of sight.

It is wise to take note of ants when you see them. It takes time for ants in Greensboro to create a serious problem. If you catch a problem early, you can do something about it. Let's turn our attention to some of the problems ants create, and why you don't want to underestimate their ability to impact your life.     

Don't: Underestimate The Risks Of Ants In The House

How bad is it to have ants in your home? It depends on what type of ants you have and how many of them are accessing places they shouldn't. Let's start with the most obvious problem: Carpenter ant damage.

• Carpenter ants tunnel through wood. While they start with soft or rotting wood, they can also damage wood that is structurally sound. Over time, the wood weakens, and serious issues can develop, such as sinking floors and bulging walls.
• Fire ants sting. If you have these red ants on your property, they have the ability to annoy you. But there is a risk you should understand. A fire ant sting can lead to a serious allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Individuals with a stinging insect allergy are at greatest risk. An allergy to stinging insect venom can develop later in life, so be sure to check with an allergist if you notice unusual symptoms.
• Lawn damage. Ants may start entering your yard because you have a weed problem. But, when ants make mounds in your yard, they compound the problem. As you mow over those mounds, the dirt spreads and further damages your grass.
• Stomach ailment. Ants crawl around in unsanitary environments. When they get into your food, crawl on counters, or explore your dishes, they can leave invisible germs. While certainly a minor disease risk compared to other pests, it is one to consider if sickness increases in your home.
• Bad odors. Some ants smell bad when you crush them. As the number of ants increases, so will the smell.
• Electric issues. Some ants chew on the coating that protects wires. They also get into switch boxes and cause electrical shorts as the electricity passes from one ant to the next. If your lights go out in your kitchen, you may have a secret ant problem in your walls. 
• Electronic issues. Some ants get into televisions, computers, alarm clocks, and other electronic devices. When they do, these items can cease to function.

It is best to deal with an ant problem when you first see warning signs. But what should you do about ants? What is the best way to stop ants in their tracks? We hope you'll consider contacting a professional. Here's why. 

Do Call The Professionals At The First Sign Of Ants

Ant control is tricky. They don't act as you might expect. For example, you can put bait down for them and they may completely ignore it. Why do they do this? It is likely because the bait you placed down is not a preferred food source. Ants have food preferences. They also have ways to tell if a food source is edible. Improperly applying bait can lead to bait aversion if the ants catch wind that the bait is causing them harm.

DIY ant control is fraught with challenges, which is one good reason to contact a licensed professional. We know how to stop ants in your house. But this is far from the only reason. Here are a few more to consider. 

• Ant control is hard work. When you contact a professional, you can put ant control out of your mind and let your technician do all that hard work in the hot sun.
• Proper monitoring and evaluation are required to ensure complete control. We use field-tested methods to make sure you get the best results.
• Professional control is a comprehensive solution. We don't just stop ant activity; we work to address the conditions allowing the infestation to occur. 
• When you get effective ant control, you put an end to the health and property threat. In the case of carpenter ant control, you can avoid significant damage to the structure of your home.

If you're reading this and you know you have an ant problem in your Greensboro home, contact Go-Forth Home Services for advice and service options. It is easy to do. Navigate to our Contact Us page and fill out the simple form for quick answers. If you don't have ants yet, it is essential to start thinking about ant management now, before trouble starts. 

Don't Forget These Ant Prevention Tips

There are many ways ants can cause trouble. You don't have to have an ant infestation inside your home to have trouble with ants. Let's take a look at prevention tips that work to deter ants from the edge of your property to the food in your cabinets.  

• Address lawn weeds to prevent ants from encroaching.
• Keep lights off at night to reduce insect activity in your yard because some ants eat insects.
• Remove leaf litter and other organic debris as ants find insects hiding in dark, moist places. 
• Address aphids in your landscaping, as they are a sweet and tasty food source for carpenter ants and several other kinds of ants.
• Clean your trash receptacles, as the odors can attract certain ants.
• Use expanding foam to seal gaps and cracks in your exterior to block access.
• Improve the seals around your exterior doors to keep ants out.
• Keep your home as clean as possible to remove food sources that can bring an army of ants into your home.
• Keep your kitchen trash covered and your receptacles clean.
• Store certain foods in sealed containers to keep ants and other pests out.
• Put pet food down only during scheduled mealtimes.

Along with these prevention steps (or in lieu of them), consider getting residential pest control service for your Greensboro home. When you have ongoing pest service, your exterior gets what it needs to stop ants and other pests from entering your home. If you choose Go-Forth Home Services, keep in mind that we provide ant pest control services within our general home pest control. 

Contact us today to learn about all of the many benefits of getting a pest control plan. We're here to help.