September 20, 2023 - Ants
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For many homeowners, dealing with a pest infestation is one of the worst problems they can face. However, certain pests aren’t given enough credit for how problematic they can be. Ants are one of these kinds of pests.
In this article, we’ll discuss the basics of ant control in Sacramento, California. We’ll go over the life cycle of ants and how their colonies grow, the issues they can cause if left alone, and how you can keep ants from becoming attracted to your home in the first place.
Finally, we’ll talk about how the pest experts at Explorer Pest Management can help you overcome the problems these pests create and get rid of them completely.
The Life Cycle Of Ants: How Ant Colonies Develop
The first step in ant control, as with all kinds of pest control, is understanding the pests themselves. Ants are social creatures that live in colonies. These colonies can number in the hundreds of thousands.
Ants have four distinct stages of life – egg, larvae, pupae, and adult. After mating with a male, a queen ant will lay a large number of eggs. These eggs usually hatch in two weeks or less, becoming ant larvae. These larvae need a lot of food to grow, and many worker ants spend most of their time feeding them. When larvae molt, they become pupae, which usually resemble adults, except they are generally lighter in color, and their legs and antennae fold against their bodies. Once pupae grow, they assume their role as adults in the colony. Workers maintain the colony, feed the larvae, and defend the queen from outside threats. Males exist only to mate with the queen. Queens are responsible for laying eggs to keep the colony going.
In the next section, we’ll talk about some of the issues an ant infestation can cause in your home.
Ant Problems: Health Concerns And Property Damage
Often, ants in Sacramento homes aren’t dealt with as quickly and decisively as they should be. These tiny insects can cause food contamination, which may lead to illness as well as ruining any food they infest. Food items not kept in properly sealed containers are common targets for ants. Certain types of ants, such as carpenter ants, are also known to cause property damage by chewing through wood. Other species, such as fire ants, can deliver painful stings that may cause allergic reactions.
Ant Prevention Is Key: Effective Tips And Tricks
As with most kinds of pests, preemptive action can significantly reduce future ant problems in your home. Here are a few ant prevention tips that should help you minimize the presence of ants in your home:
Reduce excess moisture in and around your home.
Seal any cracks or gaps in the exterior of your house.
Store food in tightly sealed containers.
Clean up any food spills as soon as they occur.
Cut back any tree branches or shrubs that grow closer to the home.
These tips should help you keep ants from getting a foothold in your home. If you need assistance handling these pests in Sacramento, you can always contact Explorer Pest Management.
Professional Ant Control: A Great Way To Keep Ants Out For Good
Since 1997, Explorer Pest Management has faithfully served the Sacramento area, helping countless homeowners with all their pest problems. We offer exceptional customer service, focusing on person-to-person interactions and exceeding our clients’ expectations. All our technicians are licensed and highly trained to ensure they can provide the best possible solutions to any infestation.
When it comes to ant control services in Sacramento, Explorer Pest Management is the best around. Contact us today for more information.
