Learn About the Most Common House Ants in Florida
Florida homeowners know that ants are a common issue they will have to deal with at some point. Over 20 kinds of ants can invade a home in no time unless homeowners take the necessary precautions. Here are the most common ants and how to deal with them:
Big-headed ants
Big-headed ants are often confused with subterranean termites because they love to cover their trails with dirt. Homeowners will notice their presence by the sand mounds collected on the driveway edges or the driveway cracks. The inconvenience will be greater when these mounds and dirt tracks are inside the house.
When big-headed ants take up residence inside a property, contacting a pest control expert is the best course of action. Specialists will identify the kind of ant invading the household and apply the necessary treatment to eliminate them.
Florida carpenter ants
Florida carpenter ants have two main characteristics that make them easily recognizable. First, they are larger than the average ant, measuring up to 2.5 centimeters long. Second, they have a distinctive dark orange and black color. This kind of ant usually makes nests in secluded spaces, including decayed trees, shrubs, the house’s attic, floors, and ceiling.
Homeowners need to watch out for these insects because they bite when threatened. When Florida carpenter ants take residence in a household, homeowners must call a pest control company to remove them efficiently from their homes.
Red imported fire ants
Homeowners should be aware of red imported fire ants in their homes as this kind of ant is more dangerous than any other. They bite and inject toxins into anyone walking near their nest—the area where the red imported fire ant stings can be sore and itchy for a few days.
A pest control expert can identify these ants with their distinctive reddish bodies and copper heads. These ants usually build dome-shaped colonies under rocks and logs.
Rover ants
These debris and mulch-dwelling ants are so small they’re hard to identify. They are generally dark brown or black and attracted to areas with high moisture levels, such as the kitchen or the bathroom. Rover ants can also become an inconvenience outside, as a large swarm can accidentally end up in the pool.
Frequent checks of their favorite nesting places can help alleviate the severity of an infestation. Still, the best course of action is to call a professional pest control service at the first sign of these ants.
Beware of ants!
Unless homeowners take the necessary precautions, ants are the kind of insect that can infest a home quickly. Contacting a pest control company is essential at the first sign of ants. Specialists will identify the type of ants in the house and apply adequate procedures to eliminate them.
Kinder Safe Pest Solutions offers 17 years of experience in commercial and residential pest control serving Manatee and Sarasota counties. Call (941)254-2180 today!