Whether it's Odorous house ants, acrobat ants, or pavement ants, these pests are a huge nuisance, but that's not the only problem they cause. Here's what West Chester homeowners should know about the types of ants that may invade homes, what problems ants cause, why professional ant treatment is worth it, and why ants are often such a year-round problem for homeowners.
What Types Of Ants Live In West Chester?
While there are several different types of ants in West Chester, only a few varieties are likely to invade your home as much as the following three species:
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Acrobat ants: The name for acrobat ants comes from the way these ants contort their bodies and hold their abdomen over their heads when they feel threatened.
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Pavement ants: Although pavement ants like to build their colonies in the pavement or under concrete slabs, they still need a food source, which is why they often invade nearby homes.
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Odorous house ants: Unsurprisingly, odorous house ants spend a lot of time invading homes. They also get their name from the rotten smell they emit when they're crushed or killed.
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Carpenter ants: Carpenter ants like to nest in rotting or damaged wood, and they are one of the few ant species that cause structural damage in homes.
All three types of ants seek out human food and typically invade homes searching for food and moisture.
Problems Ants Cause For Homeowners
Do ants bite? While most ants can bite, they are not a medical threat to people. Ant bites are also rare since (aside from fire ants) these pests are not aggressive. However, even if they do not usually bite, ants can still cause other problems in your West Chester home. Ants are a huge nuisance pest and have a reputation for contaminating food.
If you've got an ant infestation, you're likely to find these insects crawling across countertops, trying to climb into your food, or attempting to get into your trash. Depending on the size of the infestation, ants could end up contaminating your food and making it much harder to prepare and cook meals in your home.
What makes dealing with ants even harder is how difficult they can be to eliminate. Not only can they create colonies with numbers in the thousands, but ants can also build multiple nests around your home, which makes it much harder to get rid of their hiding spots. Carpenter ants are also unique because they can cause structural damage and problems in West Chester homes if the infestation is left untreated for long enough.
Why Professional Ant Treatment Is Worth It
While there are plenty of OTC or DIY ant control methods, like sprays and ant traps, these techniques are rarely effective. To completely eliminate an ant infestation, you'll need to kill the colony inside your house and prevent more ants from coming inside. DIY treatments may kill off some ants in your home, but they won't stop more from coming inside.
This is where professional ant control differs. Professional treatment can completely eliminate any ant infestation in the home but will also isolate and treat gaps or cracks where new ants may be trying to come inside. A professional ant control program may also provide on-going treatment if needed, so there's no concern about future ant infestations either.
Why Ants Are A Year-Round Problem For West Chester Residents
Ants may seek shelter in the winter but can come looking for food in the summer. These pests are a constant, year-round problem, which is why it's important to work with a pest control company like Masters Touch Pest Solutions to get rid of them. We have years of experience combating ants of all kinds in West Chester.
Regardless of the type of ants invading your home, our total ant control program can help. If you are seeing ants in your home or think they may be a problem on your property, contact us today at Masters Touch Pest Solutions for our pest control service in West Chester. You can learn more about how we can help or schedule your inspection.
