Ants are notoriously difficult to get rid of. You squish and spray and set bait traps, but these persistent pests still show up to swarm the first forgotten scrap of food under the kitchen table. And while we tend to think of them a simple household nuisance, ants can cause a number of problems for homeowners in Alabama. To protect your health and your property, it’s important to know how ant infestations start in Mobile homes.
Types Of Ants In Mobile
There are several types of ants that can be found in Mobile. They vary in appearance and behavior, but these ants all share one thing in common: they mean trouble for homeowners.
- Argentine ants – Argentine ants are known for their extreme aggression towards other ants and insects; they are even known to make prey of competing household pests like cockroaches. They are black or dark brown in color and measure between 1/16 and 1/4 inch in length.
- Crazy ants – Famous for their erratic, unpredictable movements, crazy ants are an invasive species that typically measures 1/8 inch in length with brown or black coloration. Crazy ants have a nasty habit of destroying electronic devices.
- Odorous house ants – These ants are commonly found in kitchens and pantries. Black or brown in color and measuring between 1/16 and 1/8 inch in length, odorous house ants have the bizarre quirk of releasing a foul-smelling odor when crushed.
- Pharaoh ants – Measuring 1/16 inch with a yellowish-brown color, these ants are particularly troublesome. Pharaoh ants can contaminate surfaces, food, and sanitary equipment. When attacked, they will often split off into smaller colonies, making infestations harder to eliminate.
Why Are Ants Attracted To My Home?
While rodents and other wildlife pests may seek shelter in your home, most ants are motivated by food and water. Ant scouts scour the area for possible food sources and often find their way into your home. If they happen upon a half-eaten muffin or forgotten spill of juice, reinforcements will soon arrive to feast.
Besides food, moisture and excess water are attractive to ants and can contribute to infestations. Standing water, leaking pipes, or even dripping air conditioners can all serve as water sources for ants. Determined ants can easily find their way into your home through cracks in the foundation of your home, gaps around pipes and cables, tears in screens, or beneath damaged weather stripping.
How To Protect Your Home From Ants
Ants might be hard to eliminate, but preventing an ant infestation is easy. Really, all you have to do is keep up with some basic household sanitation and be conscious of storing and disposing of food. You can protect your Mobile home from ants by:
- Cleaning up often – Use a paper towel or disinfecting wipe to clean tables and counters after you eat or prepare food. Mop, sweep, and vacuum floors regularly to get rid of crumbs and spills that attract ants.
- Storing food properly – Make sure your pantry foods like cereals, chips, and cookies are stored in sturdy containers with tight-sealing lids. Metal or glass storage containers will also protect food from household rodents.
- Reducing moisture – Fix or seal leaking pipes and dump out any standing water around the property. Consider installing a dehumidifier in basement areas.
- Closing entrances – Patch or replace damaged screens, seal cracks in your foundation and around pipes with silicone caulk, and replace faulty weather stripping and door sweeps.
If you’re experiencing ant infestation in Mobile, the best way to fix the problem is with help from the pros at EnSec Of Alabama. With free inspections, thorough treatment, and regular follow-ups, we’ll eliminate the ant infestation in your home once and for all. Contact us today.