Ants are a common pest in Yakima County homes, but just because they seem like they are everywhere doesn't mean they are safe to have in your home. Different kinds of ants cause different problems in and around our homes. From spreading diseases and doling out painful stings to damaging property and growing colonies to unmanageable sizes, ants in your home can quickly get out of hand. Luckily there are quality options for pest control in Yakima County that can help with effective ant control solutions.
Life Cycle And Diets Of Common Ants
While there are many kinds of ants, they all follow a similar four-stage life cycle. Queen ants lay eggs that are about the size of a pinhead. Some of the eggs are eaten by nestmates, while others hatch into worm-like larvae with no eyes or legs. Larvae are fed by adults and grow rapidly. Once they are large enough larvae, they go through a metamorphosis into pupae. In this stage, they have legs and antennae but start out white and gradually darken. Some species spin a cocoon for protection, but others do not. Pupae eventually emerge as adults. The entire process can take weeks to months, depending on the species and environmental factors.
Diet may not be the best term to describe an ant's food choices. Ants are foragers and omnivores and will eat a variety of food sources. Outside they feed on spiders, worms, plants, seeds, honeydew, eggs, sap, carrion, and other insects. Inside, their tastes are just as eclectic, and they will make a meal out of almost anything they can find in our kitchens. Sweets and proteins are especially sought after by home-invading ants.
The Problems Ants Can Cause In Your Home
Ant infestations are common, but that doesn't make the issues they cause any easier to manage. When they invade your kitchen, ants can spread E. coli, shigella, and salmonellosis. Some ants, like pharaoh ants, can spread further diseases such as typhoid fever, cholera, gastroenteritis, dysentery, listeriosis, and giardia. While others, like fire ants, can swarm those who are unlucky enough to stumble onto a nest with a barrage of painful stings.
And ant problems don't stop with health risks. Carpenter ants can do lasting damage to the structural elements in our homes. Many species of ants can grow their colonies into hundreds of thousands of individual insects and become a real problem to eliminate.
Six Easy And Effective Ant Prevention Tips For Around The House
The key to effective ant control is to prevent infestations before they take hold in your home. You can do this with the following ant prevention tips:
- Keep food stored in airtight containers.
- Clean up spills and crumbs.
- Cover both indoor and outdoor trash cans.
- Eliminate excess moisture around your property.
- Seal cracks and gaps in your home's exterior walls and foundation and install weather stripping and door sweeps.
- Maintain landscaping around your home.
If, despite your efforts, you notice ants parading into your home, it may be time to call the professionals.
The Most Effective Way To Keep Ants Out Of Your Home
The best way to keep ants out of your home is with professional ant control solutions from Prosite. We can provide your home with safe and effective pest control options to get rid of any existing ants as well as protect your home against future infestations. Call or connect with us online today to learn more about our services, request an inspection of your home, or schedule your first treatment.