Table of Contents
What Is The Ant?
How could a critter as small as the ant be so troubling? This is something we ask ourselves every day, but it is their social qualities that make them so formidable. With over 14,000 different species, these critters are willing to work together where most insects aren’t. They’ll work together building, sheltering, and feeding the colony. They’ll do this all in the name of the colony for the growth of the colony. From a very young age, the growth and survival of the colony are built into the ant. This what they live for. This and to serve their queen. While there are thousands upon thousands of different species, the ant itself is pretty distinguishable with its elbowed antennae and body structure.
Why Do People Have Ants?
Believe it or not, ants usually establish their primary residence outdoors. Given their presence in the home, this is something that a lot of people wouldn’t believe. The reason for this is that ants travel in groups. You won’t just see one or two. Where you see one, you will likely see thousands. And, this is because, once again, they do everything together. The ant is a critter that prefers to live outdoors and will only travel inside when necessary. It becomes a necessity for them to venture indoors when they are either looking for food or looking to establish another residence. When the primary ant colony grows too big, worker ants will venture off and start secondary colonies. This is also something that is usually done in the home, inside wood structures.
What it really comes down to is, if you see ants in the home they are either foraging for food and water or looking for a place to build their second colony. They usually enter the property via cracks and crevices in the foundation and in and around walls, windows, and doors.
Are Ants Dangerous?
There are some species of the ant that has reportedly bitten and nipped at humans and pets, but for the most part, these critters are fairly safe. They don’t carry any diseases and don’t transmit pathogens so this isn’t something you’ll have to worry about. That being said, you do have to be concerned with their propensity for wood. They like to build their secondary nests in wood so they could damage your structure to the point of where it might fall. This is something that could result in physical harm. Other than that, the ant really isn’t a physical threat.
How Do I Eliminate Ants?
Successfully and permanently eliminating the ant from a property can be difficult. And, this is because they build underground colonies with extensive tunnels. Tunneling systems that lead in and out of the home. With a myriad of entrances and exits, these ants can easily travel down one rabbit hole to escape. This is why treatment usually involves tricking one of the ants into tracking poison back to the colony, where it inadvertently poisons the rest of the crew. This might sound like a simple process, but there is a whole lot more to it than just tricking one ant into tracking poison back to the colony. You have to make sure you are utilizing the right types of poisons and you have to be careful with them because they can be dangerous. This is why ant elimination is best left to a pest management professional.
Can I Do It Myself?
You can ask any Dayton, Ohio pest management professional and they are going to ward against DIY ant treatments. You might think this is because they just want your business and many of them do want your business, but there are several important things that need to be considered when choosing DIY treatments. The first thing you need to consider is the over-the-counter products. Unfortunately, these products just aren’t as effective as the ones the pros use. This is because they don’t contain all the pertinent ingredients. Most of the ingredients needed to successfully kill ants are illegal. It takes a special license and certification to buy them. Anyone distributing or handling these treatments without these special licenses and certifications is doing so illegally. Just something to keep in mind when choosing a Dayton, Ohio pest management professional.
When Will Help Get Here?
Given the unique properties of Dayton, Ohio most pest management professionals stay busy all year round. We are constantly in and out of the office. That being said, we know pests can be a major problem and are willing to jump on the problems as soon as they arise. All you have to do is give us a call, set up an appointment, and we’ll have someone out at the property within the next 24 to 48 hours. We do also have emergency services available for those in need.
Are There Safer More Natural Alternatives?
You just learned that most ant treatments involve tricking ants into tracking powerful chemicals back to their colonies. While this is the case, you will be happy to learn that there are also now natural, greener, and more eco-friendly options available. While these treatments might not be suitable for every situation, we try to offer them when and where we can. All you have to do is give us a call to see if your property qualifies. That being said, when we do utilize pesticides and hazardous chemicals, we’ll make sure we only do so with utmost carefulness. We only use licensed techs to handle the chemicals.
If you have any other pest control issues please check out other services.
