Ants are common nuisance pests around Yakima County, with pharaoh ants being one specific problem. Although you don’t see these ants as often, they still cause issues for homeowners and business owners alike. Prosite offers pest control in Yakima County that manages pharaoh ants and all other troublesome pests.
How To Identify Pharaoh Ants
For the most part, ants in Yakima County look similar. They have tri-segmented bodies, six legs, and long antennae. You can distinguish pharaoh ants by their color. While most ant species tend to be dark brown or black, pharaoh ants are pale yellow or reddish-brown. They’re so light that they can seem nearly transparent.
You can find pharaoh ants in warm, humid areas, typically near food and water sources. One common place for a pharaoh ant nest is inside a wall void. Their nests can be hard to find, which makes removal difficult.
The Problems Pharaoh Ants Can Cause
Pharaoh ants are more likely than other species to infest commercial spaces, including hotels, grocery stores, and hospitals. They’re able to travel along wires to get from place to place. Pharaoh ants can easily get into rooms and containers, and they’re known to spread throughout a building. They infest any area food preparation area and many where there is no food.
The biggest concern with pharaoh ants is the risk of disease. These ants carry salmonellosis, staphylococcus, clostridium, and streptococcus; this is especially common when the ants infest medical facilities, but it can also happen when they get into food preparation areas. Because of this, ant control must be effective and efficient in order to keep pharaoh ants out of your Yakima County home.
Five Simple Tips To Prevent Pharaoh Ant Infestations
Pharaoh ants are notorious for being difficult to remove. They often hide their nests and quickly spread throughout a building. Instead, try these five pharaoh ant prevention tips to keep ants from getting into your home or business in the first place:
- Repair anything causing excess moisture
- Seal cracks or holes in the walls
- Store food properly
- Keep all areas clean and sanitized
- Keep vegetation away from the building
Pharaoh ants love humidity. Many factors can cause excess humidity in a building, including leaky pipes and poor ventilation. You might need to make some repairs to reduce moisture around your home or business, but this is critical in preventing pharaoh ants.
It’s also important to repair any cracks, holes, and other openings in your walls, as this helps keep pharaoh ants from coming inside and prevents them from getting into your walls.
One of the most significant factors in a pharaoh ant infestation is easy access to food. If ants can smell and reach food, they will settle in. Pharaoh ants, in particular, are good at getting inside containers, so storing as much food as possible in solid, airtight containers is important; this will keep ants from getting in and contaminating your food.
Along with proper food storage is sanitation. Dispose of food waste properly, clean trash cans regularly, and immediately clean any spills. Avoid letting dishes and other messes pile up, as these can attract pharaoh ants.
Vegetation, yard debris, and woodpiles can become harborage sites for pharaoh ants. You should keep everything several feet away from the building so it’s more difficult for the ants to move inside.
Pharaoh ant infestations can be tricky to manage on your own. The best method for getting rid of them is to call a Yakima County ant control professional.
Contact The Professionals For Total Pharaoh Ant Elimination
Why is Prosite the best option for getting rid of Pharaoh ants? We believe in individualized pest management. Our process always begins with an inspection, where we’ll look for any evidence of pharaoh ants and where they could be coming from. Then we’ll work with you to find the best option for pharaoh ant treatments. Whether you’re finding pharaoh ants in your Yakima home or your business, Prosite is the best way to get rid of them for good. Reach out today to get started and to learn more about our residential and commercial pest control services in Yakima County.