With the heat of the summer comes the increased chance of an ant infestation in your home. Of the thousands of ant species around the world, the most common ants found in New York homes are the odorous house ant, pharaoh ant, pavement ant, and carpenter ants. All of these ants should be prevented as they are not only a major nuisance pest but the carpenter ants are capable of extensive structural damages.
Identify the ant species in your home
Odorous house ant – Brown to black in color and 1/16 to 1/8 of an inch in size. Known for the odor given off when they are killed. Found foraging for food inside many homes.
Pharaoh ant – Light yellow to reddish brown in color and only about 1/16 of an inch in size. Their nests, which are extensions of the colony, are a major pest inside many buildings.
Pavement ant – Dark brown to black in color and 1/16 to 1/8 of an inch in size. Known for making their colonies in the cracks of pavement but commonly found foraging for food inside homes.
Carpenter ant – Red, black, or a combination of both and larger than most other house ants ranging from 1/18 to 1/2 of an inch long. Colonies are formed in moist, decaying wood and they can cause structural damages to buildings.
Prevent an ant infestation in your home
In order to avoid the potential of thousands of ants invading your home this summer, here are a few ways in which homeowners can prevent ants:
- Do not leave open food on the kitchen counters
- Seal open food in containers with tight-fitting lids
- Wipe up spills and crumbs right away
- Deep clean the kitchen to remove grease or other food build-ups
- Check that the exterior of your home is properly sealed with no cracks or crevices
- Secure all windows with screens free of holes
- Remove any moist and decaying wood from your property
If you still find yourself with an ant problem despite your preventative measures, then it is best to call in the NY pest control pros. The team at Parkway Pest Services has the experience and expertise needed to locate the source of the ant colonies and eliminate them altogether so that you do not have to worry about ants foraging through your home on a search for food.
Parkway Pest Services provides effective home pest control solutions for much of New York including Long Island, Rye, Harrison, metro New York and even parts of Connecticut and New Jersey. Contact us today to learn more about how you can stay ant free this summer with the help of a professional exterminator.