Ants are nuisance pests that can spread disease and do damage to your home. There are many species of ants in Phoenix, most notably carpenter ants, fire ants, harvester ants, odorous house ants, pavement ants, and Argentine ants.
If you suspect you have an ant infestation on your hands, it’s imperative to call an ant exterminator in Phoenix to address the problem at the root cause. Trying to eliminate them yourselves can prove tricky, as these insects establish large colonies in a short time span.
Challenges of an Ant Infestation
Ants can establish multiple colonies in one home, usually in inaccessible areas. As you can imagine, this can make locating and treating them quite a challenge. Many people try over-the-counter treatments from the store, but they are typically ineffective when it comes to completely eradicating the ants. Those that survive will continue to make new colonies, and your problem never really goes away.
Did you know queen ants can live for up to 15 years? As long as the queen is present, the worker ants will continue to create new colonies, and the infestation will worsen.
But ants can and should be eliminated from your home, for many reasons:
- Bites and stings can be painful.
- Ants can contaminate food and surfaces throughout the home.
- Some people can have an allergic reaction to ant bites.
- Ants can create full-sized colonies, which increases infestation considerably.
- Some ants, like carpenter ants, can cause extensive home damage.
- Ants attract other pests such as spiders and bats into your home.
Timeline: Exterminating Ants
Ants are no doubt very persistent pests. Once they set up shop on your property, waste no time in calling a pest control professional in Mesa to treat and manage this infestation. Bypass the DIY methods, which will prolong the process. Even professional treatment of an ant infestation may take multiple visits. Even though you may notice a reduction in ant activity, complete extermination takes many weeks or months depending on the extent of the infestation as well as where the colony is located.
Pest control experts can treat the colony, then suggest follow-up prevention strategies to keep them from returning. They may also suggest a pest control maintenance plan year-round where regular inspections and treatments are done to avoid re-infestation.
How to Prevent an Ant Infestation
Of course, prevention is the best way to keep ants out of your home in the first place. Here are some tips:
- Keep your home neat and clean.
- Clean all counters of crumbs every night.
- Store food items in airtight containers, including pet food.
- Seal all gaps, holes, and cracks to prevent ants from getting into the house.
- Use an ant barrier around your foundation.
In the end, getting professional assistance is the optimal way to eliminate and prevent ants, as they bring the necessary knowledge and treatment methods to guarantee complete elimination.
Frontino Pest Control is Your Ant Expert in Phoenix
If you have an ant infestation in your kitchen, or anywhere else in your house, contact Frontino Pest Control for a free quote on ant control in Phoenix at 602-338-9223.