While the size and coloration of ants will vary among the different species, all ants have a segmented body that consists of a head, thorax, and abdomen. Worker ants are wingless, but the winged forms of ants are often incorrectly recognized as termites. Winged ants can be identified by their small waists, slightly pointed heads, and elbowed antennae.
Ants live together in colonies. Some colonies are small, while others are quite complex and encompass hundreds of ants working together in a hierarchical system. A queen will begin a new colony, and within that colony, there will be a clear division of labor between worker ants and guard ants. The roles of different ant colonies will vary from protecting other smaller insects to feeding on other pests, to breaking down decaying organic material.
While working within the colonies, foraging, and sometimes invading a residence, the ants communicate messages to one another using pheromones. If an ant finds a food source within the home, it will communicate the path to this food source to the rest of the colony by leaving a scent trail to lead the way. This makes it much easier for the entire colony to find the way though any environment.
Positive Pest control can include the control over the ant species in the home. It can cause large destruction that is impossible to correct. The control will require the effective management of the measures to restrict the antes from entering the house.
How to Get Rid of Ants? Ant Extermination Methods
Ants can be great nuisances in a home in many ways, including the fact that they can cause damage to the structure of the building. Here are a few tips to help eliminate these pests from the home.
- Identifying the Species
The effective ant control methods for getting rid of ants will vary depending upon the type of ant being targeted. Therefore, it is crucial to first determine which species is infesting the building. Ants will differ in terms of size, where they live in the house, the region, their color, the number of nodes on the ant’s back (there will be either one or two), and the types of foods that they are attracted to. Using reference materials, or a pest control company, the first step to exterminating ants is to correctly identify the species.
- Seal the House
Ants are typically extremely small in size, especially those found in North America. Thanks to their size, and the structure of their bodies, it is extremely easy for these insects to slip into a home via the tiniest cracks. To reduce the number of ants entering the house, it can help to caulk around windows and other openings, install weather stripping to doors, and seal any other potential entryways.
- Hide Food Sources
Most types of ants are attracted to sweet food items. When storing food items that the ants will be attracted to, be sure to seal all cracks around cabinets and other storage areas. Instead of leaving ingredients, such as sugar, in their original bags or boxes, seal them in airtight containers instead.
- Clean All Surfaces Regularly
By mopping and disinfecting floors and counters, it is possible to remove the pheromone trails left by ants. This will reduce the number of future ants that are led into different areas of the house.
- Administering Florida Green Pest Control
Florida Green Pest Control products offer non-toxic solutions to kill ants on contact and deter occupation of areas in the proximity of where Florida Green Pest Control products have been administered.
