Common Ants That Invade Chicago Homes
There are over 12,000 known species of ants in the world. Thankfully, there aren’t anywhere near that many to deal with here in the Chicago area. The most common types of ants you’ll come across in your home are the carpenter ant, Pharaoh ant, and the odorous house ant.
The carpenter ant is the larger of the three species, growing to ½ to 5/8 of an inch in length. It gets its name due to the fact that it typically builds its nests inside of wood. It is commonly black in color, but can also be red or brown, or a combination of red and black.
Odorous house ants earned their title by emitting a foul odor when stepped on or crushed. They are uniform in color, ranging from black to brown. These ants are smaller, coming in at 1/16 to 1/8 of an inch long.
Pharaoh ants are the tiniest of the three species measuring 1/16 of an inch. They were mistakenly thought to have been one of the plagues of ancient Egypt, hence the name “Pharaoh ant.” Their coloration ranges from a pale yellow to a light brown or red. The abdomen is normally darker in color than the rest of the ant.
All The Issues An Ant Infestation Can Create In Your Home
An ant infestation in your home can cause a whole host of problems. They can not only affect the health of you and your family but can also result in damage to your house.
- Carpenter ants chew through wood creating a series of tunnels called galleries. If gone undetected or left untreated, the damage can become quite extensive causing structural damage.
- The strong jaws of the carpenter ant can also render a painful bite by injecting formic acid into the skin.
- Besides the bad smell the odorous house ant may leave behind, they can also contaminate any food it comes in contact with.
- Pharaoh ants have been known to spread pathogen diseases such as streptococcus pyogenes and salmonellosis.
These are just a few of the issues that can be the result of an ant infestation. The longer an infestation is not tended to, the worse these problems become, emphasizing the importance of prompt and effective ant control in your house.
The Trick To Completely Getting Rid Of Ants In Your House
Completely getting rid of ants can be a monumental task. You can try ant traps, sprays, and practice good housekeeping, but sometimes they just keep coming back. For the most effective ant control, call Aerex Pest Control. Our highly trained and certified technicians can put your mind at ease. Our treatment and prevention plans have proven to be successful at getting rid of those ants once and for all and ensuring they don’t come back.
Four Eco-Friendly Ant Prevention Tips
There are cat and dog-friendly ant control products commercially available. You can also find goods that are specially made to be used as organic ant control for your home. But some of the best eco-friendly ant control solutions are simple things that you can do around the house.
- Good housekeeping is one of the keys to good ant prevention. Ensure that kitchen countertops, floors, and food pantries are kept clean. Quickly take care of any food crumbs and spills.
- Keep food and pet products tightly sealed once they are opened. Speaking of pets, try not to leave food out too long in their food dishes.
- Regularly take out the garbage cans and be sure they are sealed well.
- Check for any cracks and crevices around the house where ants can enter from outside and seal up any that are found. Also inspect windows and doors for a tight fit.
Unfortunately, even if all of these prevention measures and precautions are adhered to, it is still no guarantee that your home is immune to an ant infestation. Aerex Pest Control can ensure your home stays ant-free for good.