For property owners in Turks & Caicos, there’s likely no pest as annoying as ants. These small and seemingly insignificant pests operate in colonies of hundreds, if not thousands, which makes it difficult to control an ant infestation when it occurs. In addition to their large populations, each breed of ant acts differently from the other. That’s why the first step is to understand a little more about the ants common to the area, which include:
Carpenter Ants: These are the largest ants you’ll see at sizes of up to a ½ an inch in length. They are mostly black and are known for their ability to cause property damage. They accomplish this by tunneling through the wood that makes up the structure of a property.
Odorous House Ants: Their name comes from the rotten coconut smell they emit when crushed. Growing up to 1/8 of an inch in length, they are fairly small and are black or dark brown. Due to their odor and penchant for operating in large numbers, this is one breed of ant to keep out of the home.
Pavement Ants: Similar in appearance to house ants, these ants earn their name due to their habit of making their nests inside the cracks of sidewalks and underneath buildings. Their small size allows them to enter homes with ease. Fortunately, they are considered to be only a nuisance, though it’s important to remember they can contaminate your food and other surfaces during their travel.
Pharaoh Ants: Difficult to eliminate for property owners, these yellow/orange colored ants are known for their ability to contaminate food. In addition, they have a disturbing habit of getting into the wiring, which can lead to unforeseen property damage. It’s important to ensure they’re properly identified due to their ability to carry multiple harmful diseases.
No matter the breed, no ant travels alone. As such, when dealing with an ant infestation the secret to success is to employ tactics that cut down the population as a whole.
How To Keep The Ants Away
Fortunately, ants are relatively simple pests to understand. This means the techniques to employ are simple as well. Some of our best tips to keep the ants away include:
Watch The Food: When food is left out or improperly stored, this acts as a beacon for ants to investigate. While they like any human food, they are especially attracted to sugary foods such as jelly, candy, and other sugar-rich food. Make sure there aren’t any crumbs left behind after eating and that remaining food is sealed and put away to keep the ants from wanting to stick around.
Eliminate Moisture: Like all living creatures, ants need water to live. The problem is that ants don’t just drink the water. They also take it back to their colony for later. This, in turn, leaves a scent trail for other ants to track. By taking the time to locate and remove all water sources such as a leak under the sink, roof leaks, and more, you can ensure better protection against an ant infestation.
Trash Management: In addition to human food, ants love to get into your trash. The more accessible the trash is, the more they’ll stick around. For this reason, you need to ensure all trash bags are closed, trashcan lids are tight-fitting, and all trash is moved far from the house for regular disposal to ensure the least amount of ants possible in the building.
The best way to keep the ants away from the property is to make it impossible to get inside in the first place. To that end, be sure to do the following:
Check The Screens: Ants can fit inside the smallest tear of your screens. Before the house becomes overrun, the best thing you can do is carefully inspect all windows and vent screens to ensure they’re in good working order.
Identify And Seal: Besides holes in the screen, ants are capable of getting in through cracks and holes in your foundation and seams. Sealing these entry points will go a long way in keeping the ants outside where they belong.
Ant Control With Parkway Pest Solutions
With tropical climates, pests are a part of everyday life. However, that doesn’t mean they belong in your building. That’s why our certified pest control technicians work hard to ensure your quality of life isn’t compromised regardless of the pest in question.
Ready to explore your ant control options? Then give us a call to speak with one of our agents about our professional pest control services or fill out our online form to schedule your free quote.