How many ants have you crushed in your lifetime? Some people have probably crushed thousands of these pests. The question is, why do we crush ants inside our homes if we know they will come back? We can tell ourselves that it makes a difference, but in reality, it only makes us feel like we are winning in the moment. Contact Bay Pest if you would rather invest in professional ant control. We are your best option for pest control in the Bay Area and would be happy to find a quick answer to your pest problems.
The Types Of Ants That Invade Bay Area Properties
There are several species of ants that are common here in the Bay Area. The most common species is the Argentine ant. These insects are 1/16 to ¼ of an inch long, are dark brown to black, and have a shiny appearance. Their small size and ability to multiply rapidly are two reasons they are so common in our area.
Other types of ants in the Bay Area you should know about are pavement ants, Pharaoh ants, and carpenter ants. One question we receive frequently is, “Where do ants nest?” Argentine ants build and move their nests frequently and prefer to settle in urban areas nearby homes. Pavement ants build their nests around paved areas like sidewalks, driveways, and foundational blocks. Pharaoh ants nest inside drainpipes, bookcases, wall skirting boards, electrical switchboards, and similar locations. Carpenter ants create their nest inside structures of wood. Although similar in appearance, all local species cause drastically different problems.
Ants Can Cause Problems Around Your Home
Of the four common ants in our area, there is only one species that doesn’t pose a serious problem: the pavement ant. Argentine ants have the ability to bite people and will use this defense mechanism if they feel their life is in danger. Pharaoh ants like to crawl through dirty areas and eat nasty things. This leaves them teeming with disease-causing bacteria. Two diseases you can contract from pharaoh ants include salmonellosis and staphylococcus infections. Finally, carpenter ants cause problems when they chew through foundational wood. If you have an active infestation inside your home, you could be looking at tens of thousands of dollars in home repair costs.
Tips To Prevent Ant Infestations
If you do not like the idea of ants crawling around inside your Bay Area home, you need to put some form of ant pest control in place. The two main options you have for ant pest control are DIY and professional services. To start, here are some simple DIY tips that will help you deter an infestation.
- Identify holes, cracks, and gaps in your home’s exterior foundation. Seal these potential entry points using silicone-based caulk.
- Inspect your home’s doors and windows. Make sure these sealing points are protected with things like screens, weatherstripping, and door sweeps.
- Address moisture problems in and around your home by repairing leaky piping, reducing humidity, and eliminating sources of water build-up.
- Reduce clutter in and around your home and do your best to keep things clean.
- Store leftovers, pet food, and pantry items inside airtight containers.
Although helpful, DIY is not a perfect answer to your ant problems. For total control, we highly recommend looking into professional options. At Bay Pest, we use Integrated Pest Management methods to control pests like ants. Find out more about this comprehensive option by getting in touch with our team.
Professional Ant Control Made Easy For Bay Area Residents
There is nothing we love more than helping homeowners find freedom from annoying, dangerous, and destructive ants. We will start by paying you a visit and performing a detailed inspection of your home and property. After we identify how ants are getting inside and what species you are dealing with, we will offer some short and long-term strategies to get and keep these pests out. If you are looking for the best pest control for ants, we are confident you will find that here.
Contact our team today if you have any unanswered questions about the ants in the Bay Area or if you would like to schedule your home and property for effective ant control. We'll make sure you're well taken care of.