A Straightforward Ant Control Solution For Your Baldwyn Home

Ant control in Baldwyn doesn’t have to be as complicated as it might seem. Dealing with any pest infestation can be stressful, but the constant nuisance of an ant problem can be especially exhausting.

Fortunately, you don’t have to combat ants on your own. Here’s what Baldwyn homeowners should know about the life cycle of ants, what kind of problems they cause, how to get rid of ants, and how pest control in Baldwyn can help. 

The Life Cycle Of Common Ants

Like any pest, ants go through a life cycle. While the length of the life cycle can change from species to species, most common ants will experience the same general life cycle and life stages.

• Egg Stage: All ants begin as eggs. Because they’re nestled in the colony, you probably won’t see ant eggs. However, you can rest assured that the queen of the colony is producing a lot of them. It can vary from species to species, but some queen ants are even capable of producing thousands of eggs within the same day. 
• Larval Stage: Once they’ve completed the egg stage, ants will transform into larvae. This usually lasts one or two weeks, and larvae will require constant nourishment during this stage. They aren’t developed enough to hunt or scout for food on their own, so they depend on the colony for nutrients. 
• Pupal Stage: Ants can remain as pupae for several weeks, depending on the type of ant. As pupae, many ants remain in protective cocoons until they emerge as adults. 
• Adult Stage: This is where ants will begin causing you trouble. Once they’re adults, ants will have no trouble crawling all over your home in search of food. Some ants may even become queens, which means they’ll leave the colony and start their own. 

This can be a problem if they’re already residing near your home. The new colony won’t want to give up that access to food and water, so they may just settle into another part of your home or property. 

How long do ants live? This can depend on the type of ant, but ants can live longer than you think. Some species can live up to six months to a year, while others can live for several years. Odorous house ants, for instance, can live up to two or three years. 

Not only does this give ants plenty of time to contaminate your home, but also to reproduce and grow the infestation. Other kinds, like fire ant workers, hardly live more than a month. 

The Many Problems Ants Can Create In Your Home

They may be small, but that doesn’t mean ants don’t cause big problems in Baldwyn homes, including:

• Contamination: If they have access, ants can contaminate almost any food source. Many ants carry bacteria on their bodies and can potentially spread germs to food and surfaces that they crawl over.
• Bites and stings: Most ants won’t bite or sting, but many of them do have the capability to do so. Some ants, like fire ants, are more aggressive than others. If you stumble upon a fire ant mound, these ants may attack in swarms, which can become dangerous.
• Property damage: Carpenter ants are the most notorious ants for causing property damage. This species tunnels through wood and can weaken its structural integrity over time.
• Nuisance: Oftentimes, ants are merely a nuisance in our homes. However, that does not make it any more pleasant to deal with these pesky invaders. Having to constantly deal with ants can be a major source of frustration.

Even if they don’t cause damage or contaminate food, all ants are a nuisance, and they won’t go away on their own. Despite your best efforts at reducing attractants, your ant problems will likely persist.

Five No-Nonsense Ant Prevention Tips For Around The House

Usually, if you’re seeing ants around your Baldwyn home, there’s an underlying reason for it. As with most pests, ants are attracted to food and water, so reducing these factors can also reduce the risk of an infestation. 

1. Keep A Clean And Tidy Home

If you’re not sure what’s attracting ants to your home, the best course of action is to do a thorough cleaning. This means vacuuming or sweeping/mopping all floors and wiping down countertops and tables. 

You also want to prioritize those hard-to-reach areas where food scraps may have fallen, such as beneath heavy appliances or in cupboards where you’ve stored food. These areas may not get cleaned regularly, and if there’s any food residue, they could attract ants. 

Keep in mind, it doesn’t take much to make a meal for an ant or even an ant colony. Ants are great at sniffing out food scraps and crumbs, so a deep clean can help prevent this. 

Speaking of what they like to eat, ants are also drawn to moisture. Leaky pipes, faucets, and other sources of moisture can attract ants just as much as a tasty meal would. If you do have moisture issues around your Baldwyn home, you’ll want to address them as soon as possible. 

2. Practice Good Food And Trash Storage

Along with regular deep cleaning of your home, you’ll want to practice sanitary food storage, such as keeping any leftovers in airtight containers, regularly disposing of garbage, and keeping your trash cans sealed to avoid attracting ants. 

Make sure your trash bags don’t have holes or leaks in them. Ants aren’t afraid to dig through the trash for their dinner, but a tight lid and a tear-proof bag can go a long way toward preventing ants. 

3. Clean Up Spills And Keep Up With Dirty Dishes

Dirty dishes and spills can also attract ants. Clean up spills and food messes as soon as you can, and don’t leave dirty dishes sitting in the sink or on the counter for long. 

4. Seal Off Entry-Points

Ants can crawl into your home through tiny cracks and crevices. Try checking along the foundation or baseboards of your home for small holes and gaps – and seal off any that you find with caulk or another sealant.

5. Maintain Window And Door Screens 

Torn door and window screens can also provide easy access for ants, so be sure to fix or replace any broken screens that you find. Small gaps under doors can also become an access point for ants, but door sweeps and weatherstripping are effective solutions to this problem.

Even with the tips above, the best form of ant pest control is working with the pros at McCary Pest Control. 

The Most Effective Ant Control Method For Your Home

While there are things you can do to prevent ants, the best form of fire ant control and ant pest control near you comes from working with McCary Pest Control. If you’ve already got ants in your Baldwyn home, you’ll need help to get these sneaky creatures out – with help from those of us at McCary Pest Control. 

If your home has an ant problem or you have more questions about how to keep ants away, don’t wait to call us – contact McCary Pest Control today for more advice and assistance.