Some problems around the home are avoidable, but it’s almost guaranteed that sooner or later, you’ll have to deal with ants. These little pests enter your property through the smallest of entrances to scavenge for morsels of food. If you let your guard down, you can quickly find yourself overwhelmed by an army of bugs invading your pantry. So, if you’re wondering about ant control for Tukwila homeowners, here’s what you need to know.
What Kind Of Ants Live In Tukwila?
There are a few types of ants that you're likely to find in your Tukwila home:
Argentine ants: Argentine ants are known for their expert foraging skills. They can rapidly dominate an area through a process called “budding,” in which new queens establish satellite colonies around the original colony. These shiny black ants measure between 1/16 and 1/4 inches in length.
Odorous house ants: These ants can cause quite a stink. When crushed, they produce a foul smell that’s often described as resembling rotten coconut. Odorous house ants are also known for regularly relocating their colony. They measure between 1/16 and 1/8 inches and have a brown or black color.
Carpenter ants: The largest of the home-infesting ants in the United States, carpenter ants build their nests in moist, decaying wood and can cause lasting damage over time. They can measure over 1/2 inch in length and vary in color from black to brown to red.
Fire ants: Probably the most feared of all home-infesting ants, fire ants can deliver a painful sting to anybody unfortunate enough to trespass on their turf. They typically nest outdoors but will come inside in search of food. They are red in color and measure between 1/8 and 1/4 inches.
How Ants Get In Your Home
Though they often seem to appear out of nowhere, ants are methodical in their approach to invading your home, and if there’s a way in, they’ll find it. Foraging scout ants spend their time patrolling the territory around their colony for sources of food. Tiny gaps around wiring or plumbing, cracks in the foundation, and damaged weather stripping or door sweeps can all allow ants to enter your home. Just one scout ant needs to locate a tasty meal and they’ll soon leave a pheromone trail for an army of workers to follow right into your kitchen cabinets. Ants get into your home because they look anywhere and everywhere for food, and their small bodies help them easily slip through the tightest of entrances.
You can reduce the chances of ants entering your home by:
- Patching screens: Check for tears in window or door screens and patch or replace them as needed.
- Repairing cracks and gaps: Seal any empty space around pipes or cables as well as cracks in your foundation with silicone caulk.
- Replacing weather stripping: If your weather stripping or door sweeps are falling apart, it’s time to replace them.
How To Prevent Ants
Ants are attracted to food and moisture. Reducing these two factors alone will have a huge impact on the presence of ants in your home:
- Clean up often. Wipe down surfaces where you eat and cook after use. Sweep and mop for any crumbs or spills that attract ants.
- Take out the trash. Don’t let trash accumulate. Use a trash bin with a tight-sealing lid indoors and store garbage outdoors and away from the home if possible.
- Reduce moisture. Fix any leaking pipes, faucets, or spigots. Make sure gutters are draining properly and directing water away from the home.
- Invest in food storage. Try storing your pantry foods in sturdy containers made of heavy plastic, glass, or metal to keep ants and other pests from getting in.
The best way to control and prevent ants on your Tukwila property is with the professionals at Alta Pest Control. We are committed to providing the best experience possible for our customers and we guarantee that we will eliminate your ant problem, or we’ll come back again to solve it. That’s our service guarantee. Get in touch with us today for your free inspection.
