One nice thing about living in Maine is that we don’t have to deal with a lot of the pests that are found in other parts of the world. One pest we have in common with other areas though, is ants.
Five Common Portland Summer Ants
Many different types of ants exist, though, so it’s important to understand the ones we find in Maine.
You may find this Portland Homeowner’s Guide to Summer Ants helpful:
- Odorous House Ants. These ants are small ants that range from brown to black in color. They are not dangerous, but they are a nuisance, as they can get into your home in large numbers and may contaminate your food supplies. Odorous house ants give off a foul odor, akin to rotten coconut when squished.
- Pharaoh Ants. These ants are amber in color with a darker abdomen. They are similar in size to odorous house ants. Unlike odorous house ants, pharaoh ants are considered dangerous. They can bite, but the bigger problem is in the diseases they spread. Pharaoh ants infest homes and businesses in huge numbers, building nests within wall voids, under floors, and in furniture.
- Pavement Ants. These pests are slightly larger than pharaoh ants and range in color from brown to black. They can usually be found scurrying along outside and building ant hills along the edges of driveways or in cracks in pavement. Although they can bite, it’s rare for them to do so, and they are considered a nuisance pest.
- Thief Ants. Thief ants are small and range in color from yellow to brown. They get their name from their behavior - building nests near other ant colonies in order to steal their food. Thief ants are considered dangerous due to their ability to transmit diseases and parasites.
- Carpenter Ants. The biggest of the Portland ants, carpenter ants range from red to black in color. These ants are dangerous because they build their nests and tunnels within the wooden structures of your home, damaging its structural integrity over time.
How to Prevent All Types of Portland Ants
The best thing you can do to prevent ants from getting into your home is to eliminate food sources both inside and outside. Ants are drawn to a variety of foods, from fruit to meat to sugar.
Inside, keep all food stored in containers with tightly-fitting lids, or in the refrigerator. Make sure all leaks and spills are cleaned up immediately. Don’t leave dirty dishes in the sink or on your counters. Wipe down your counters and sweep up crumbs frequently.
Outside, keep your garbage bins tightly closed. Clean up after picnics and barbecues. Don’t leave pet food out for extended periods of time. Check your home for cracks, gaps, and holes that ants could use to gain access to your house and repair or seal them.
How to Get Rid of Ants in Your Portland Home
If you notice ants inside your home, or you see excess numbers of them on your property, call Big Blue Bug Solutions. Eliminating an ant problem requires identification of the type of ant and determining the source of the infestation to ensure proper extermination methods are used. At Big Blue, we have over 80 years of experience.
Contact us to learn more about our ant control solutions.