As the home to six professional major league sports franchises, numerous Fortune 500 companies, and a population of over 7 million, the Bay Area is named one of the most beautiful areas in the world. With great weather, many outdoor activities, and world-class attractions, living in the beautiful state of California is a dream for many. However, before your dream becomes a nightmare, it’s essential to understand what species could also be calling your house their home. In the Bay Area alone, there are more than ten different ant species that cause trouble in and around your home. The Argentine Ant is one of them, and if left unchecked, they will cause you a great deal of trouble.
Argentine Ants
As the name suggests, the Argentine ant is not native to the Bay Area or North America but rather from Northern Argentina. These invasive species have spread around the globe by sneaking on shipping containers throughout the past century. This contributes to their status as a nuisance pest in homes with their ability to spread rapidly. Argentine ants are typically 1/16 to ¼ of an inch long and range from light to dark brown. Their nests are usually found nearby or beneath buildings, under boards, beside sidewalks, or outside in moist soil.
In addition to Argentine ants being a cause of nightmares for millions of Californians, their presence in the Bay Area homes is merely one symptom of a more significant problem. These invasive ants are out-competing the native ant species and fundamentally altering California’s ecosystem. They currently have a supercolony that stretches 600 miles down the west coast and can be detrimental to native pollinators. Because these ants are here to stay, the best solution is prevention. You can prevent an Argentine ant problem by making your home less desirable to these invaders.
Problems With Argentine Ants In The Bay Area
Where you see one, you are bound to see more. Argentine ants are tiny in size, allowing them to quickly make their way into your home or business. They can get in through electrical and water lines and cracks and crevices around the foundation. The scout ants, who locate food for the entire colony, search your home or business from high to low for any source of food it can find. This could include fruit, meats, sugar, or anything else that is available. Once they find a fruitful food source, Argentine ants can cause stress and great havoc in your home. Argentine ants have disrupted many local ecosystems by out-competing the local species, especially in urban areas. Preventing the ants from getting inside is the key to effective control.
Argentine Ant Prevention Tips
Ants are tricky little creatures, but if you know even a little about how and why they get into your home, you can stop them. Here are some of the best prevention tips for you to use in and around your Bay Area home.
Limit Food Options for Foraging Ants: Many ants first find their way into your home or business while searching for food. By not giving them what they’re looking for, you can stop them from returning.
- Clean up messes, dishes, spills, and crumbs after every meal.
- Remove trash from your home or business daily.
- Clean up any mess that you find.
- Do not leave food out on the counter or uncovered. Store all food in the refrigerator or airtight containers.
- Regularly check cupboards and pantry for leaking or spilled food item.
- Store pet food in airtight containers.
- Limit outdoor food sources by having tightly-fitting lids on garbage bins.
Address Moisture Issues In Your Home Or Business: When ants look for a place to nest, they look for areas with moisture. By eliminating these areas in your home or business, you can make your structure unsuitable for ants.
- Look outdoors around your property for excess moisture, particularly right around the perimeter of the building, and develop solutions for any that you find.
- Check regularly for water-damaged wood and replace any that you see.
- Check regularly for leaking faucets and pipes. Fix any problems that you find.
- Reduce humidity in your building through the usage of dehumidifiers and fans.
Seal Up Potential Entry Points: Ants are tiny and can fit through seemingly impossible spaces. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try to seal as many potential entry points as possible.
- Carefully check around the exterior of your building for cracks, holes, gaps, and crevices. Seal any that you find.
- Look at all your doors and windows for gaps around the casings, as well as holes or tears in the screens. Fix any that you find.
- Consider installing door sweeps on exterior doors.
- Cut back tree limbs, shrubbery, and bushes that touch the building. These act as a bridge to allow ants to crawl to your home or business.
Contact The Professionals At Bay Pest Solutions
If you are finding Argentine ants inside your home or business, you need professional help from the experts at Bay Pest Solutions. Although some may not cause serious problems, if they continue to populate, they will surely be an issue. They will contaminate your food, contaminate your surfaces, and if they choose to nest inside, the problem will only grow bigger and bigger.
If Argentine ants have gotten into your business facility or home , you need the help of Bay Pest Solutions. We have the tools and the experience to get to the root of your ant infestation to eliminate the problem. Contact us to schedule an appointment today.