While sugar ants are a species, they are only found in Australia, not the United States. So if you hear the term “sugar ants,” it refers to several small species of ants. These species include pavement ants, pharaoh ants, and odors house ants. These species are lumped under the name of sugar ants because of their taste for, you guessed it, sugar!
For the most part, sugar ants are a nuisance and not particularly dangerous to people. However, this does not mean they won’t cause problems, and no matter the species, no ants are wanted in any home. As a Baldwyn, Mississippi resident, you should be aware of the problems some sugar ant species can cause, how to get rid of them, and the best tips to prevent them.
Are Sugar Ants Dangerous?
While species like pavement ants can contaminate food, odorous house ants can produce a terrible smell when crushed. Other species like pharaoh ants can be dangerous to human health.
Pharaoh ants are about 1/16th of an inch with a yellowish color and a dark color abdomen. They live in a large colony and will infest in large numbers. Like pavement ants, pharaoh ants can bite, but they rarely do. The danger of this species comes in the form of their ability to carry and transmit pathogens. Pharaoh ants can spread pathogens such as Streptococcus and salmonellosis. What makes this worse is that they commonly invade hospitals to contaminate IVs and patients’ wounds.
What Is The Best Way To Remove Ants?
Suppose you have a sugar ant infestation, whether dangerous pharaoh ants or the smelly odorous house ants; you don’t want to waste time taking action against them. Many people might be inclined to try and rid their home of ants on their own using over-the-counter (OTC) sprays, gels, and traps, but these methods often prove ineffective and dangerous if misused.
If you are trying to use a do-it-yourself (DIY) approach to eliminate an ant infestation, this will probably only cause stress, waste money and time, and may even worsen the infestation. This is why the most effective, quickest, and safest way to get rid of sugar ants is with assistance from McCary Pest Control.
The professionals at McCary Pest Control can guarantee a pest-free Baldwyn home with our promise to re-treat for pest activity or your money back. Using eco-friendly products, we can keep you and your family safe in the process.
Did we mention we offer specific control offerings for ants? We do! By applying liquid and bait treatments throughout your property, we will be able to eliminate the infestation and keep them from coming back. Depending on the severity of the infestation and your needs, we may return monthly or quarterly to ensure that you never have to deal with an infestation again.
In the meantime, our team of experts has several tips to share with you regarding sugar ant prevention. These tips can be implemented immediately to prevent an infestation or provide services to ensure this pest doesn’t return.
How Can I Prevent Ants?
Like most other ants, sugar ants can be prevented if you focus on removing how they get in and what food sources attract them. These prevention tips include:
- Sealing entry points, which we can assist you in finding during an inspection.
- Sweeping the floors and cleaning off surfaces, so they are spill and crumb-free.
- Taking out the garbage property and using bins with tight lids so ants can’t get in.
- Storing food in air-tight containers.
- Addressing moisture issues such as leaks.
For more tips and to discuss home pest control treatment plans, contact us at McCary Pest Control.