West Chester’s Complete Guide To Effective Ant Control

How Can I Tell What Type Of Ants Are On My West Chester Property?

Although all ants have large heads with compound eyes, strong jaws, and elbowed antennae, there are distinguishing factors to tell carpenter ants, odorous house ants, and pavement ants apart. Here’s more about each:

• Carpenter ants measure six to 12 millimeters in length and range from red, brown, and black. They have segmented, oval-shaped bodies and build their colonies inside of wooden structures.

• Odorous house ants are tiny, measuring just 2.4- to 3.3-millimeters long, with oval-shaped dark brown or black bodies. These ants have a singular node, which is usually hidden by their abdomen, and when viewed from the side, their thorax appears unevenly shaped. These pests nest in shallow soil underneath logs, stones, boards, and mulch.

• Pavement ants are light brown to black in color, with legs and antennae lighter than their bodies. They measure 2.5 to three millimeters in length, with parallel lines on their heads and thorax. These ants nest in the cracks in driveways and underneath sidewalks.

The Problems Ants Can Cause In Your West Chester House 

Of all three ant species common in West Chester, carpenter ants are the most damaging to homes. Because they burrow extensively inside of wood, these ants are capable of hollowing your home from the inside out, especially gravitating to wood that’s wet or has been damaged.

Odorous house ants and pavement ants aren’t known to cause structural damage to your home, but they are nuisance pests and can contaminate food sources if they have access.

How To Completely Get Rid Of Ants On Your West Chester Property

The safest, fastest, and most effective way to get rid of ants on your West Chester property is with help from the local professionals at Masters Touch Pest Solutions. We’ve been providing West Chester homeowners with pest control solutions for more than 30 years, including carpenter ants, odorous house ants, pavement ants, and other pests. 

Effective Ant Prevention Tips For West Chester Homes

Aside from professional pest control services, preemptive solutions are the most effective way to prevent ants on your West Chester property. Here are three tips on how to prevent ants in your West Chester home:

• Keep ants out by repairing damage to the foundation and exterior-facing walls. Repair all cracks, crevices, and voids around plumbing and utilities with caulk to prevent ants from entering your house. Take it a step further by installing door sweeps on exterior-facing doors and covering vents with mesh covers.

• Repair leaky plumbing and replace damaged wood. Faulty plumbing can result in wet wood and the type of damage that attracts carpenter ants. Fix plumbing issues, including clogged gutters, to ensure that water isn’t pooling in areas near your foundation, and replace all wood that has been damaged by water.

• Remove ants’ access to food. Keep your home clean of food debris by regularly cleaning surfaces and floors and storing trash in lidded containers to prevent ants from entering. 

For pest control that’s guaranteed, contact Masters Touch Pest Solutions today at 610-822-9975.