The Tricky Science Of Ant Control In Stafford

Ants commonly use their small bodies to infiltrate homes through tiny openings. Ants have six legs, antennae, and a thin connector called a petiole between the thorax and abdomen. Many species of ants have a brown or black body; however, some appear in shades of red or yellow. Groups of winged ants often gather as part of their mating process. What attracts ants? The majority of ant species venture indoors when food sources exist, particularly when they identify crumbs, dirty dishes, or other food scraps. Property owners must keep kitchen areas clean and limit points of entry indoors.

Are you struggling with ants? Promptly contact a Stafford pest control professional that knows how to get rid of ants in your house and strategies for how to keep ants away.

How Can I Tell What Type Of Ants Are Invading My Stafford Home?

Ants exist in thousands of different species. Some of the most common types in this region are as follows: 

• Odorous house ants: Known for emitting a foul odor when crushed, odorous house ants are either black or brown and rarely exceed 1/8 of an inch in length. 
• Pavement ants: Measuring approximately 1/8 of an inch and appearing as dark brown or black, pavement ants build nests along sidewalks, driveways, and other paved surfaces. 
• Acrobat ants: Aptly named for raising their lower body above their head, acrobat ants appear brown, black, or multi-colored.
• Carpenter ants: Black carpenter ants form large colonies that pose risks to wooden structures as they burrow through and create nests.
•  Pharaoh ants: Pharaoh ants have a yellowish-brown appearance and are among the most likely home intruders. 

Regardless of the species, homeowners must remain diligent regarding the preventative measures needed to prevent attracting ants. 

Will An Ant Infestation Go Away On Its Own?

No. Ant infestations that remain untreated will usually worsen, which is largely due to how ants communicate. Ants generate pheromone chemicals that other members of their colony detect, such as when discovering a source of food. Therefore, once several ants enter, many others often follow in droves.  For this reason, people who encounter a group of ants within their home must remove the ants and clean the area thoroughly so that no pheromonal traces remain. 

Are Ant Baits Effective To Use In My Home?

Ant baiting products often demonstrate positive results, as ants will consume a substance that is poisonous and easily spread it among others in the colony. One problem with these products is that the prefilled baiting stations contain materials that might only attract certain species of ants. Rather than trying these “one-size-fits-all” options, professional pest control companies provide truly specialized solutions that will achieve results. 

Ants Are Terrorizing My Home And Getting Into All My Food! Help!

As a family-owned provider of pest control services in Virginia, Viewpoint Pest Management Solutions understand the importance of operating in a manner that ensures the safety of our customer, their pets, and the local environment that we share. In addition to ants, we deploy the latest products using many of the latest application methods to eliminate cockroaches, termites, stinging insects, and many other undesirable pests. Some of the other advantages that our team provides include fast response times, consistency, and affordability.

Property owners in Stafford should also consider our year-round prevention plans, including our Silver, Gold, and Platinum Protection Plans. With these comprehensive and ongoing protection plans, one of our specialists will perform quarterly or bi-monthly treatments that keep the premises free of at least 17 different pests. Our technicians always begin by conducting an exhaustive interior and exterior inspection of the property and check in hard-to-reach places where many of these unwanted pests hide. 

Contact us today to schedule a consultation.