What is an Ant?

Ants are social insects belonging to the order of insects known as “Hymenoptera” – the same order containing bees and wasps. Social insects such as ants live in large communities where they depend upon each other for the survival of the entire colony. Ant colonies generally form underground nests comprised of chambers and interconnecting tunnels where ants store food, lay eggs, and maintain nurseries. There can be tens of thousands of ants in a single colony and several colonies inhabiting the soil or landscape surrounding a property. For that very reason, ants can be a particularly difficult pest to eradicate. Although an estimated 14,000 ant species populate the earth, only a handful of species around the region are known to invade homes and buildings.

Why do I have them?

All ants share one primary task, to protect and care for the colony. In order to accomplish this, ants require food, moisture and shelter. A colony of ants may range from a few dozen to tens of thousands. Ant nests are commonly found outside under wood piles, flagstone or brick patios, and under rocks and garden stones. Inside, ant nests may be located in wall voids, behind insulation, or in or around wood previously damaged by moisture. You are most likely to find ants invading your property when they are foraging for food. Foraging ants account for only a small percentage (typically 10% or less) of the colony’s size and it is important to understand that ants will travel extremely long distances in search of food or harborage. Once these foragers locate and establish a source of food, ants will produce a scent trail (by way of pheromones) leading to and from the nest. This pheromone trail provides direction for the ants to follow between the nest and food source. This is why you will often see ants like the Odorous House Ant marching back and forth along one line with little or no deviation.

Are they dangerous?

In our region of the country, most ants species we deal with fall into either one or two categories: nuisance pests or wood destroying insects (such as Carpenter Ants). Fire Ants, however, pose a series health threat in southern states as close as North Carolina and parts of Virginia.

How do I get rid of Ants?

Ants can be a particularly difficult pest to eradicate due to the nature of their foraging habits and colony development. Because only a small percentage of Ants within a colony are actively foraging for food, it is vitally important to inspect and locate where the Ants are coming from. It is entirely possible for Ants to be foraging long distances and the nest may not be located within property boundaries. That is why it is important that American Pest professionals are called in to provide a thorough inspection.  For optimal results American Pest recommends our Preferred Care residential pest control services that get rid of ants and other common households with regular treatment visits.  This bi-monthly pest control service is effective in preventing ant infestations and is backed by our Pest Free Pledge.  If pests return between scheduled visits, American Pest returns for Free!  

Can I do it myself?

Do-It-Yourself methods of ant control are not often successful. Many over-the-counter pesticide products for consumer purchase are not an adequate means to control ant colonies because they are not customized or suited to treat the particular species of ant you are having a problem with. American Pest professionals are trained to seek out foraging ant trails around your property, in an effort to locate and eradicate the entire colony. Oftentimes, this may eliminate the need to use pesticides on the interior of the home.

How soon can you get here?

At American Pest, we pride ourselves on our speed and delivery of service. For that reason we make every effort to be with you the same or very next day.

Is the treatment safe?

We put your health and safety first: Every product used by American Pest has been EPA registered for pest control use. We then follow a strict set of guidelines in every application of product to ensure that no harm will come to your family or pets. Furthermore, our state-accredited training and continuing education programs set us above the rest: All of our pest control professionals are registered and licensed by the state or local jurisdictions where we provide service and many have achieved Applicator Certification under the category of Industrial, Institutional, Structural and Heath Related pest management.

How can I prevent this in the future?

Preventing ants from invading your property can be extremely difficult if you are dealing with structural infesting species such as the Odorous House Ant or the Carpenter Ant. You can reduce the number of instances by cutting back foliage such as shrubs, ornamental grasses, and ivy that come in contact with exterior walls or foundation. These natural “bridges” create easy access for ants to enter homes or buildings. American Pest professionals will consult with you to provide a customizable solution to your ant problem using our S.T.A.R. system of integrated pest management.