Ants are a common summertime pest in Milford. These tiny insects can cause a lot of problems if they are left unchecked for too long. They can contaminate food and cause other health issues. Dealing with them is an essential skill for homeowners to know. In this article, we’ll give you the information that you need to understand how to get rid of ants. We’ll talk about how to identify some of the common types of ants in your area, the dangers of an ant infestation, and some of the ways that ants get into houses in the first place. When you need help with ants or any other kind of pest control in Milford, you can always call Big Blue Bug Solutions. We’ve been helping homeowners like you for decades, and we’re passionate about delivering consistent, excellent service.
Characteristics Of Common Ants
While there are about 25 types of ants that are commonly found in homes throughout the United States, we’ll focus on two that are more common in the Milford area. These species are the carpenter ants and the little black ants. Carpenter ants build their nests by chewing tunnels into wood. Unlike termites, they don’t consume the wood; they just tunnel through it. These ants are usually red, black, brown, or some combination of the three.
They measure about five-eighths of an inch in length. Little black ants are pretty much exactly what their name implies. They are usually no longer than a sixteenth of an inch or so. Most of them are black, but some can be dark brown. Little black ants are usually found in wooded areas and may sometimes nest in wood, but they don’t chew through it like carpenter ants do. In the next section, we’ll take a look at some of the problems an ant infestation can create.
The Health Risks Of Ant Infestations
Ants may seem like relatively harmless pests at first, but that is far from the case. These insects contaminate food that they come in contact with. Their diet includes fruits, vegetables, meats, sweets, and anything greasy. This contamination can cause sickness or allergic reactions. Some ants, such as the carpenter ants, also cause property damage. Additionally, ants have numerous methods of communicating with each other, and they can move the location of their colonies in response to danger. Getting rid of ants may seem impossible, but by knowing where they come from, you’ll be better equipped to handle them.
Why And How Ants Find Their Way Into Our Homes
Ants have many ways to get into homes, but there are a few methods that they tend to use repeatedly and a few things that will usually attract them. Understanding what’s bringing ants into your home can help you avoid an issue. Things that may attract ants to your home include:
- Leaving dishes in the sink overnight
- Not taking out the trash regularly
- Not cleaning up food spills immediately
- Gutters or downspouts that aren’t working properly
- Neglecting to seal up cracks in the exterior of your home
Most ant prevention tips boil down to maintaining good sanitation and cutting off exterior access. By keeping these factors in mind, you should be able to minimize your risk of an ant problem.
Call Us For All Your Ant Control Needs
If you’ve found yourself dealing with an ant issue that seems too big to handle, don’t be afraid to call Big Blue Bug Solutions. We’ve been providing top-notch ant control to homeowners for over 80 years. We’re known for our reliability, quality, and expertise. You can count on us to take care of any pest problem that you have. Contact Big Blue Bug Solutions today!