Many Baldwyn homes deal with ant infestations. These insects are incredibly common household pests, but that doesn’t make them easy to remove. If you’re finding ants around your home, you need professional treatments. McCary Pest Control provides safe, effective ant control in Baldwyn for all homes.
Identifying Common Ant Species
How many types of ants in Baldwyn can you name? You might be surprised to learn how many ant species invade homes. Argentine ants, pavement ants, and odorous house ants all resemble the stereotypical ant. These are all tiny—between 1/16 to 1/4 inch—and dark brown or black. Odorous house ants are the most distinctive of the three. Crushing one releases an odor that’s sometimes compared to rotten coconut.
Carpenter ants and fire ants are more occasional invaders. Carpenter ants are larger, often reaching 1/2 inch in length. They chew through wood to create hollow galleries where they lay their eggs. Fire ants build mound nests outside. These dark red ants are known for their stingers, which they readily use in self-defense.
Ants In The Home Can Be A Bigger Problem Than You Think
The problems caused by carpenter ants and fire ants are more immediate. As carpenter ants chew through wood, they cause damage that builds up and grows more severe. It takes time for a carpenter's ant infestation to lead to serious damage to your home, but it also takes time to notice an infestation. Look for small holes in wood with piles of sawdust-like material outside of them.
Fire ants can and will sting. They'll swarm if they feel like you’re a threat to their nest. Fire ant stings are similar to bee stings, causing localized pain, itching, and swelling. Unlike bees, each fire ant can sting multiple times.
Even though most other ant species don’t sting or damage your home, they can cause other problems. Ants often interact with your food, which can lead to cross-contamination. Although they don’t carry diseases on their own, they can transfer pathogens from one surface to another as they walk around outside and in your home.
Simple And Effective Ant Prevention Tips
Keeping ants out of your home is no small task. You need to make sure that ants can’t get inside your house and that they aren’t able to find food and water. These ant prevention tips will help keep ants away from your home:
- Seal any cracks or holes in the walls to eliminate entry points
- Store food in solid, airtight containers that ants can’t get into
- Clean up spills immediately
- Address anything causing excess moisture since humidity and pooled water can attract ants.
- Trim branches back so they don’t touch your house. Ants use long tree branches as bridges to reach homes.
Ants enter homes looking for food, water, and shelter. If you can eliminate these factors from your home, you’ll be less likely to develop an ant infestation. Once ants are inside, however, you need professional pest control to get rid of them.
Call In The Professionals For Total Ant Control
McCary Pest Control provides the ant pest control you need in Baldwyn. Our service visits always begin with a thorough inspection of the home. We’ll explore your house, looking carefully for ant nests and factors that attract ants. Then devise a treatment plan. Our methods are research-based and use products that are proven to be effective. You can count on us to provide you with high-quality care and safe, affordable ant control. Call McCary Pest Control today to learn more about your options for ant removal and treatments.