Ants can be a real mystery for those who don't study the volume of information that has been collected by entomologists and experts in the field of pest management regarding these resilient and resourceful insects, but they really shouldn't be. It isn't a magic trick how ants find their way into our homes. The simple answer is: Your home isn't as sealed as you think it is. Ants are able to crawl up walls and walk across ceilings as they search for food. When you combine this with their tiny size, it is easy to see how they are able to get inside. But, all ants don't come into homes the same way, or for the same reasons.
In our Texas service area, fire ants and odorous house ants are a serious problem. Odorous house ants get into trash cans and then crawl around on food prep surfaces. Fire ants leave unpleasant bites that can be a serious health risk for people who are allergic to them and for those who cannot get away from these stinging ants, such as babies, the infirm, and the elderly. Both of these ants enter homes for the same reason. They are looking for food. And, if your home doesn't have a limited and focus application of EPA-approved insecticides to create a barrier, it is likely that both of these ants will find entry points you aren't even aware of. Does that mean you shouldn't try? Absolutely not. Your efforts to seal your home and keep ants out is extremely helpful. You want to make it as difficult as possible for these pests to get in. It is just important to realize that treatments and nest destruction are integral to effective control.
Another ant we see quite a bit is the carpenter ant. Unlike fire ants and odorous house ants, carpenter ants will often enter a home for a different reason. These ants establish their nests in wood. For this reason, carpenter ants often create a nest in a home but feed on food found outside of a home. This can make it hard to determine how bad an infestation is, or how many nests have been established. If you're seeing large, black ants crawling around your home, you should consider calling a pest control company to do a detailed inspection.
If you are in our Texas service area, reach out to Adams Exterminating Company. Our team of educated and friendly professionals can help you keep those ants out, and reduce their populations in your yard. And, while we're taking care of those ants, we can take care of all those other pests that pose a threat to your health and your home. Give us a call today to learn more about our year-round pest control plans. We look forward to serving you. You may learn more on Plano Ant treatment plans here.