In the great State of Maine, we have a nice long break from pests during the cold winter months but, without fail, those pests come back when the weather warms up. From black flies and mosquitoes to spiders and house flies, they all come back year after year to plague us. In this article, we are going to look at the common ants that infiltrate our South Portland properties, the problems they cause, as well as some things you can do about them.
Common Types Of Ants In South Portland
- Carpenter ants are large black ants that measure as much as 13 mm long. Although they do not sting or bite, they eat away at wooden structures, causing extensive damage over time if they are left, untreated, long enough.
- Odorous house ants are dark brown to black with a beehive-shaped abdomen and 1 flat, hidden node between the thorax and abdomen. They grow to be around 3 mm long and emit an unpleasant odor when squished. Some describe this scent as the smell of rotten coconuts.
- Pavement ants are only around 3 mm in length. They usually live and nest inside the cracks of pavement and similar locations but sometimes they come in through basement walls and can be a big nuisance if they enter in large numbers.
- Pharaoh ants live in very large colonies. They are amber or yellow and have a dark brown or black abdomen. They grow to be around 1.5 mm in length. Considered the most difficult ant pest to eliminate, they spread salmonella and other harmful diseases.
- Thief ants range from yellow to dark brown, measure around 2 mm, and are considered dangerous since they can transmit serious diseases when they contaminate food sources. They also serve as intermediate hosts for poultry tapeworm.
Prevention Tips
Although trying to keep ants away entirely is not feasible, keeping their numbers down and preventing them from entering our homes is possible. Start by keeping your yard neatly trimmed and as dry as possible, removing food and water sources. Once things are cleaned up and dry, search the outside of your foundation and walls for gaps and cracks. Sealing up all those tiny entry points will help keep pests out. Finally, keep all trash in tightly sealed containers, don't leave pet food on the floor, and clean up spills and crumbs right away.
How Big Blue Can Help
For effective ant control, consider partnering with Big Blue Bug Solutions. When you have year-round pest service from Big Blue Bug Solutions, you're going to see a lot fewer ants around your home and zero ants inside. Give us a call today to learn more.