Tupelo's Helpful Guide To Effective Ant Prevention

up close image of a crawling carpenter ant
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Many people think that ants aren’t a danger because they’re usually minimal, and their populations are extensive. This is a significant misconception. Several species can directly ruin your Tupelo property and personal effects. Across the board, bugs are a threat to human health because of the germs they carry. Carpenter ants and pavement ants in your house can wreck foundational wood and soil, respectively. Let's try to get rid of pavement ants naturally, but perhaps that may not happen.

Keeping ants out is a task for many reasons. One is that they can multiply in volume. Another is that they can crawl through tiny openings. Use this guide to eliminate pavement ants and other local types. McCary Pest Control can assist you with high-quality ant control solutions.

The Types Of Ants That Invade Tupelo Homes

Carpenter and pavement ants are just two of the subclasses in the area. Carpenter ants are 0.25 to 0.50 of an inch long, which is considerably large. Some are reddish-black, yellow, orange, brown, tan, or red. However, most are black. Wings are on the bodies of reproductive swarmers. Creating tunnels and nests is how these critters affect the wood. Ultimately, this will diminish the strength and stability of the material. They will primarily attack trees, lumber, and logs. Once you catch a swarmer fluttering by, you have an infestation. Additional signs are finding mountains of wood shavings, hearing soft noises from inside foundations, and having walls that sound hollow. 

Pavement ants in Tupelo are 0.09 to 0.12 of an inch long. They’ll either be black or brown, with light-colored appendages. Sidewalks and driveways are where you’ll find these bugs. It’s clear what the inspiration for their name is. Decks and patios will be covered with them as well. Since the insects are adamant diggers, you can expect a yard with messy soil patches. Kitchens and pantries will be their havens if they venture indoors. Pavement ants have stingers, so it’s not wise to handle them.

Remember that all ants can contaminate meals and surfaces no matter the species. They have bacteria on their skin and in their waste. The bugs are tied to salmonella and E. coli.

Why Ants Invade Tupelo Homes

Carpenter and pavement ants in Tupelo are like any other pest: they are motivated by water, food, and shelter. Domiciles have an abundance of all of these resources.

Five Natural And Effective Ant Prevention Tips For Tupelo Homes

It’s a challenge to get rid of pavement ants naturally, as well as other subspecies. These elements are frequently spread on ant centers and entryways:

  1. Citrus
  2. Borax
  3. Coffee grounds
  4. Essential oils
  5. Mixed vinegar and water

The avenues above will only be mildly effective, if at all. Take these steps to reduce the chances of having carpenter and pavement ants in your house: 

  • Close up openings in foundations and utilities.
  • Have leaks and moisture breakdowns fixed as soon as possible.  
  • Ensure that sweeps and screens are in good condition.
  • Clean the kitchen with detail and wash dishes on a routine basis.
  • Remove garbage and vacuum carpeting regularly.
  • Use secure canisters for food and trash storage.  
  • Wipe up food messes immediately.
  • Place wood and greenery at least two feet away from the property.
  • Never let loose wood, like fire logs, have contact with soil.

Commercial ant control solutions and “do it yourself” methods are too expensive to be so weak against infestations. If they have any strength, it’s toxic to humans, pets, and vegetation. We at McCary Pest Control have safe dust, liquid, and bait treatments. Our professional industrial-grade solutions will eliminate pavement ants and all their relatives. Call today for a free inspection!