Have you ever stopped to think that the ants trailing through your Opelika home could be causing more problems than stealing food? Many species of ants that live in our area are not just food stealers. They also pose serious threats to human health and property. To help you better understand how to identify ants and answer the question: are ants dangerous and destructive? We are here today with some things you should know.
How To Identify The Type Of Ant Infesting Your Opelika Home
Something you might be wondering is how many ants are there in Opelika? The truth is, there are more species than ones you need to worry about. To make things simple for you today, here are some of the most common ant species in our area and how to identify each.
Argentine Ants
Color: Dark brown to black
Shape: Segmented oval
Size: 1/16 to ¼”
Pharaoh Ants
Color: pale yellow to red with a darker abdomen
Shape: Monomorphic with a segmented body
Size: 1/16”
Odorous House Ants
Color: Black to brown
Shape: Segmented oval with an unevenly-shaped abdomen
Size: 1/16 to ⅛”
Pavement Ants
Color: black to dark brown
Shape: Segmented oval
Size: ⅛”
Crazy Ants
Color: black to dark brown with a grey sheen
Shape: segmented with long legs and antennae
Size: 1/16 to ⅛”
Carpenter Ants
Color: Red, black, or red and black
Shape: Segmented oval with large heads and mandibles
Size: ⅗”
The Problems Ants Can Cause On Your Opelika Property
Most species of ants that live in our area cause problems by entering homes and scavenging for food and moisture. This type of behavior does not just contaminate food and moisture sources but is also incredibly annoying. Keeping this in mind, there are a few species in our area that pose a direct threat to health or property. Carpenter ants chew through the structural wood of homes and outbuildings to build their nests. This is incredibly destructive and can cost a pretty penny to fix. Pharaoh ants pick up and spread diseases with their bodies. Two sicknesses you can contract from these pests are salmonellosis and staphylococcus.
How To Get Rid Of Ants In Opelika & Keep Them Away
If you keep finding ants inside your Opelika home and are looking for some ant pest control options to get them out fast, look no further than Prewett Pest Control & Termite. Our team offers high-quality pest control ant treatments which we use to eliminate ants and to keep them away. All of our ant pest control options are designed to fit our client’s individual needs and will work to solve your ant problems. Join our community today and find out why Prewett Pest Control & Termite is your absolute best option to control ants in Opelika.
Natural Ant-Prevention Tips For Opelika Properties
The absolute best way to protect your Opelika home and property against ants is to hire a professional. Keeping this in mind, if you do not have the finances to afford ongoing pest control services, here are some natural DIY ant control solutions to help reduce your chances of finding ants indoors.
- Seal gaps and cracks in your home’s exterior foundation.
- Repair damage to window/door screens.
- Install door sweeps under all exterior doors.
- Make sure your weatherstripping is in good working order.
- Eliminate sources of water build-up after it rains.
- Make sure your gutters are in good repair.
- Keep your living areas as clean and tidy as possible.
Call our team today if you have any unanswered questions about ants or to get a quote for ongoing professional ant control solutions for your Opelika home. You might find that freedom from ants is well within your budget.