Outside of Antarctica, ants find it easy to thrive just about everywhere. Here in Northern Mississippi, our humid climate and mild winters make it especially easy for them. That’s why we’ve got so many problem ant species in our area. Far from being a simple nuisance, ants can spread disease, inflict painful stings, and even demolish structures. Since that’s the case, it’s safe to say you don’t want a house full of them. So let’s talk about some things you can do to keep them away from your Baldwyn, MS home or commercial property.
Common Area Ants
While ants in other locales might be just a nuisance, here in Mississippi, we’ve got several species that can pose different threats to your property and health.
Carpenter Ants: Like termites, carpenter ants make their nests in wood by hollowing out tunnels and chambers where they live and work. Also like termites, carpenter ants can do serious damage to your house. Their activities can lead to buckled floors, warped door and window frames, bulging walls, and sagging ceilings. If left unchecked, carpenter ants can even threaten the structural integrity of your house.
Fire Ants: These famously aggressive ants will swarm at the slightest provocation, stinging dozens –possibly hundreds – of times if you disturb their mounds. Stings are usually just painful and itchy, though fire ant welts do have the potential to become infected. People who are allergic to insect venom are in the most danger from fire ants, which can easily cause anaphylactic shock in sensitive individuals.
Pharaoh Ants: Pharaoh ants have spread themselves all over the world, and Mississippi is no exception. Like fire ants, pharaoh ants also pose a threat to your health, not by stinging but by spreading dangerous bacteria like strep, staph, and salmonella. This is exacerbated by the fact that pharaoh ants love to infest places that really, really don’t need these dangerous strains of bacteria – like restaurants and healthcare facilities.
Ant Prevention Tips
To keep these dangerous ant species (as well as other nuisance ant varieties) off your property, take measures like:
- Ensure all pantry foods, including pet foods, are stored in airtight containers.
- Keep both indoor and outdoor garbage in containers with well-fitted lids.
- If you have fruit trees or a vegetable garden, make sure to clear away dropped produce.
- Take care of moisture problems such as clogged gutters and leaky pipes.
- Inspect your home and seal potential access points like cracks and holes in the exterior. Also close gaps underneath door sweeps or between window frames and windows.
- If you see a line of ants, spray it with vinegar to disrupt pheromone trails.
- Make sure woodpiles (such as firewood or construction materials) are stored away from your home’s exterior.
What To Do If You’re Infested
Unfortunately, ant infestations can be seriously tough to eradicate. Their colonies are often too big and too complex for you to kill them off on your own. Granules and sprays are more likely to kill just enough ants to cause the colony to move or spread out – leaving you with even more nests than you had before. Luckily, there’s a better way for effective ant control.
Here at McCary Pest Control, we’ve been in the business of busting up ant colonies (as well as other pest infestations) since 1972! We offer free inspections and estimates, our services are backed by a pest-free guarantee, and we always use eco-friendly products for safe and effective treatment. So give us a call at either (662) 667-1150 or 1-877-756-PEST. You can also visit our contact page to schedule your free estimate today!