Most pests do their best to avoid people. Ants are a bit different. They will walk right onto a foot, hand, or another body part without hesitation. Maybe they lack the ability to be afraid or perhaps are not bright enough to know when they are in danger. Regardless of what gives these pests the courage to invade homes and climb on people, one thing will always be certain; ants are not good house guests. If you are tired of finding ants around your Snohomish home, use this step-by-step guide to keep them out.
Ants Common Around Snohomish
Ants come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Understanding how to identify different ant species is one of the first things you need to know in order to get rid of these pests. To you do this, here are some of the most common ants here in Snohomish and how to identify each.
Odorous House Ants: Aptly named, these small black pests emit a foul odor when threatened or crushed. Many describe this scent as that of rotten coconuts. Odorous house ants are not dangerous, just disturbing, and best known for stealing food right out from under a homeowner's nose.
Pavement Ants: You can identify these small brown to black pests by the location of their nests. If you find ant hills next to your driveway, along the sidewalk, or near the road, you can assume you are dealing with pavement ants. Thankfully, these small pests do not pose any serious threat to homeowners.
Pharaoh Ants: Out of all the ant species in Snohomish, Pharaoh ants are the most dangerous, at least when it comes to spreading disease. Common diseases Pharaoh ants carry and spread include salmonellosis and streptococcus.
Carpenter Ants: Known for being the largest species of pest ant in the United States, carpenter ants are the most destructive. Tunneling through and creating their nests in the wood inside of homes, these red, black, and sometimes red and black pests cause hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages each year.
Red Imported Fire Ants: Rarely found inside homes, red imported fire ants are best known as lawn pests. These reddish-black pests have multiple queens per colony, and can both bite and sting. A sting from one of these pests may cause a rash and will feel like a stinging burn.
How To Prevent Ants
The good news is you can prevent any ants that invade your home using the same methods. To keep ants from entering into your Snohomish home, use these simple prevention tips.
- Seal gaps, cracks, and holes in the exterior of your home using a caulking gun or some liquid cement.
- Make sure all of your exterior doors have door sweeps.
- Repair or replace weatherstripping around your home that is damaged.
- Inspect your window and door screens and make sure they are in good working condition.
- Address leaky pipes and fixtures around your home.
- Check your gutters and make sure they are properly channeling water away from your home's exterior.
- Keep your landscaping well-maintained and clutter-free.
- Clean up thoroughly after outdoor gatherings.
- Deep clean your home at least once a week.
- Be careful not to leave food or drinks out on countertops, tables, or anywhere else in your home.
- Make sure to seal your trash cans tightly.
For extra help dealing with ants around your Snohomish home, turn to the experts at Guard Pest Control. Getting rid of an ant infestation yourself is tough, but with our help, it's effortless. No extra stress, no hidden fees, just services you can depend on.
Give us a call today to find your perfect solution to pest problems.