How To Minimize Ant Infestations This Spring

Ant infestations are one of the most common pest control problems in North Georgia. Certain ant colonies can have hundreds of thousands to millions of individual ants. We know how overwhelming an ant infestation in your home or business can be, and Lookout Pest Control, formerly Any Pest Inc., takes them all seriously. For that reason, we’ve detailed common Georgia ants and ways to minimize them this Spring.

Identifying Ant Infestations

The first step in preventing and eliminating ants is to determine which type of ant you are dealing with. There are a wide variety of ants in Georgia but the most common are:

• Carpenter Ants – These ants are the largest ants you’ll find in Georgia. At ¼-½ an inch in length, these ants are hard to miss. They are entirely black or have a mixture of dark red and black, depending on the species. These ants have a single node between their thorax and abdomen and antennae that are long and thin.
• Odorous House Ants – These house ants are a common type of ant that, when crushed, releases an unpleasant odor. They are medium-sized and have smooth, dark brownish-black bodies with lighter, honey-hued legs.
• Pavement Ants – Extremely common in residential settings, pavement ants are small and vary in color from brown to black, with lighter-colored legs and antennae.
• Pharaoh Ants – These ants are probably the top nuisance of all ant species. Ranging in color from light yellow-tan to reddish-brown with darker colored backsides, they are found throughout the U.S. and prefer to nest inside the home.
• Fire Ants – Fire ants are red coloring and live in large mounds, these ants are hard to mistake. Though small, their bites can be extremely painful.
• Argentine Ants – Argentine ants are very ordinary-looking, small brown ants. They are small and slender, 2.6 to 3.2mm long, and are dark brown in color.

Minimize Food Source

Ants are generally on one mission…to find food. Because of that, ants come into your home looking for a reliable source. Eliminating these sources helps prevent them from coming into your house in the first place. To minimize this takeover, keep your food, including pet food, sealed in airtight containers. Keep your countertops clean and floors swept or vacuumed. Take the trash out regularly and keep trashcans tightly sealed. Rinse cans, bottles, and other sugary-based liquid jugs before throwing them away.

Seal Access Points

Minimizing access points is a key way to stopping a future infestation. The harder it is for pests to get in, the harder it is for them to take over. Inspect both the interior and exterior of your home to identify potential access points where ants can get in. Apply weatherstripping or other materials to doors and gaps around windows. Caulk around pipes and faucets. Seal control joints in driveways and patios. Seal gaps and cracks around foundations, as well. By doing these simple things, your home is less likely to have ant infestations this season.

Landscaping

Another key factor to infestations is the landscaping around your property. Keep your grass mowed and yards cleared. Make sure logs and branches are cut back so they are not touching your house. Make sure gutters are kept clear of debris and clogs. Store firewood a safe distance away from the house and elevate it off the ground (if possible). This cuts down on breeding grounds for ants.

Call Lookout Pest Control

At Lookout Pest Control we provide expert pest control for any problem you may have with an ant infestation. We can identify the problem and ensure that you get rid of all of the ants causing damage to your home. Furthermore, we can help to prevent future infestations so that you won’t have to worry about ants in the future.

If you need ant pest control service, call us today or contact us online here.

678-888-0035