Ant Identification & Prevention
What are ants?
Ants are social insects that live together in large nests. The ants work together to care for the main nest and satellite nests, forage for food, and protect the colony from danger. Ants have learned that people and our properties provide them with their necessities; therefore, these pests are quite a challenge to keep out of our yards and away from our homes.
There are around a thousand species of ants living across the United States. In Texas, there are around 250 native species of ants. The handful of ants that live in our area and regularly find their way into our yards and homes are Argentine ants, fire ants, pavement ants, and pharaoh ants.
Are ants dangerous?
Texas is home to many different types of ants, including those that are dangerous and destructive.
Some of the most common and dangerous ants living throughout Texas are fire ants. These small, aggressive ants deliver painful bites and stings and, when nesting in our yards, can make it dangerous to be outside.
Pharaoh ants are another example of dangerous ants living in our area. They prefer to live indoors and are a particular concern in our homes, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities. These ants carry and transmit serious diseases to people, such as salmonella and strep. Pharaoh ants living in hospitals find their way to patients' eyes and wounds as they seek moisture.
Why do I have an ant problem?
Things like trash cans, compost, gardens, and pet food found in most of our yards provide ants with regular food sources and often lure these foraging pests. Ants have a powerful sense of smell, and even the slightest food odor attracts these pests.
In addition to food, ants gravitate to properties that offer them sources of water and suitable places to nest and expand their colonies. When ants are living or foraging for food in your yard, it won't be long until you spot them in your home. The ant's small size allows them to easily move indoors through spaces they come across in a home's foundation or exterior walls.
Why Choose EnviroGuard Pest Control?
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40+ Years of Industry ExperienceWith decades of combined experience in pest control, we have a solution for whatever is bugging you!
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Environmentally-Friendly Products AvailableYour family and pet's health and safety are always top of mind which is why we use only the best methods and products.
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Locally Owned & Operated OfficesOur offices are locally owned which means we have a deep understanding of the local pests to each area and the best solution for them.
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Competitive Pricing & Customized PlansEvery home is different. We create a tailored solution for your individual case that works for your budget.
Where Will I Find Ants?
Ants are not pests that will hide their presence from you. They are active during the day, and you will see them in long trails searching for food that they can gather and bring back to the nest. We often spot ants in gardens, grassy areas, traveling along fences, and moving across our decks and walkways.
Outside, ants build their nests in the ground in open sunny areas (fire ants) or more secluded locations like next to foundations, cracks in the pavement, under fallen trees, mulch, or other ground covers.
Ants that have chosen to nest indoors often place their nests near moist areas. Wall voids and spaces under floors near pipes, sinks, tubs, or behind wood trim and around windows or doors are common places to discover nesting ants. Some ants also get into and nest inside electrical equipment, causing damage, including electrical shorts.
How Can I Prevent Ants in the Future?
Prevent issues with ants using our most helpful ant prevention tips.
- Carefully inspect your home's exterior walls, looking for and sealing even the tiniest opening you discover.
- Properly store food and garbage to keep it out of the reach of ants.
- Eliminate water sources by cleaning out clogged gutters, repairing leaky pipes, hoses, or spigots, and removing wet or decaying wood from your yard.
- Regularly vacuum your home and wipe down surfaces to remove crumbs and sticky spills that attract foraging ants.
- Remove things from your yard that ants can nest under, like fallen trees, tree stumps, old woodpiles, and brush piles.
- Contact a professional ant control expert to eliminate any problem infestations from your property.
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