People usually aren’t fearful of ants because of their daintiness and pervasiveness. They can be hazardous to be around though. Your food and surfaces can be contaminated with the bacteria they carry. These bugs are associated with conditions like salmonella and E. coli. What’s even worse is that some species have further risks and they are all hard to combat. Find out how you can defeat them with Aerex Pest Control.
What Ants Are Common in Chicago? What Are the Dangers?
Pharaoh, odorous house, and carpenter ants are widespread in the city. Pharaoh ants are 0.12 of an inch long or smaller. Black and red abdominal marks decorate their yellow-brown bodies. As you’d expect, their primary objective is to maintain their source of shelter, food, and water. Thus, they tend to overrun pipe chases, pantries, and meal packages. Visible amber-colored workers confirm an infestation.
Odorous house ants live up to their name in several ways. They are known for penetrating domiciles and establishments, and a foul coconut smell is released when they’re smashed. These brown or black bugs are also 0.12 of an inch long. Since they flourish around humidity and moisture, you’ll find them in heaters, water utilities, and similar. Structural voids, floor crevices, paneling, and carpeting are hubs for them as well. If you’re bitten, you’ll experience moderate pain. Seeing any at all notes an infestation.
Carpenter ants stand out from their relatives, as they are a huge 0.25 to 0.50 of an inch long. Their coloring varies. Some are reddish-black, brown, red, tan, yellow, or orange. However, most are black. Reproductive swarmers in the colony have wings. Wood will be damaged by these insects because of the nests and tunnels they’ll build inside of it. Outdoors, they’ll attack logs, trees, and lumber. Indoors, foundations will suffer. Carpenter ants are active if you hear soft noises behind structures, see wood shavings or swarmers, or if walls are hollow.
Is There a Way to Prevent Chicago Ants?
Once more, ants aren’t easy to eliminate. They can come through tiny crevices, and they reproduce very rapidly. Given this, you’ll have to stay on top of preventative methods. Start with your cleaning practices and exterior care:
- Patch up holes in utilities, wires, windows, doors, and foundations.
- Repair leaks and moisture malfunctions right away.
- Make sure that window screens and door sweeps are intact.
- Clean the kitchen with detail regularly. Wash countertops, cabinets, dishes, and around appliances.
- Take out the trash and vacuum rugs often.
- Put food and garbage in containers with tight lids.
- Immediately get up food spills and messes.
- Distance plants and wood from the property by two feet.
- Don’t let loose wood, such as carpentry panels, have contact with soil.
How Will Aerex Pest Control Handle Chicago Ants?
We at Aerex Pest Control have over 70 years of experience. You can rest assured that our ant eradication approaches will be safe and effective. Our solutions include perimeter barriers, entry points, and exterior treatments, baits, and more. Get started with us today by calling and requesting a free quote and no-obligation inspection!