Having ants can feel like an invading army is occupying your home. These pests come marching out in force to steal your food, and no matter how hard you fight, it can seem like you just can’t beat them. But with the right plan, you can protect your property from invasive ants. Keep reading to learn about ants in Orange County homes and how you can keep them out.
Types Of Ants In Orange County
There are many different ant species that reside in Orange County. Some are typical indigenous fauna while others are specialized invasive species. Common ants found in the area include:
Fire ants – These reddish-brown ants generally measure about ¼ inch in length but pack a painful sting ten times their size.
Pharaoh ants – Tiny and pale, pharaoh ants are known to spread disease and can be especially difficult to eliminate.
Odorous house ants – These average-looking ants measure between 1/16 and 1/8 inches in length and have a dark brown or black color. But when crushed, odorous house ants emit a foul smell similar to rotten coconut.
Crazy ants – An invasive species from South America, crazy ants can be easily recognized for their erratic, unpredictable movements.
How Ants Get Indoors
Some pests like bed bugs, ticks, and even cockroaches are adept hitchhikers that are generally brought into the home rather than entering on their own. But ants are avid explorers and will gladly take advantage of the slightest breach in your home’s defenses in search of food.
Ants often enter through cracks in the foundation, gaps around pipes and cables, or through damaged doors and windows. Thankfully, you can reduce the chances of ants invading your home by addressing these issues.
Here are some things you can do to keep ants out of your home:
Seal cracks and gaps – Using silicone caulk, fill in any cracks in your foundation or gaps around pipes leading into your home.
Repair or replace screens – Inspect your window screens for tears and repair or replace as needed.
Check for faulty door sweeps – Ensure that your door sweeps and weather stripping are intact. Replace as necessary to keep ants out.
What Attracts Ants?
If you’re experiencing ant problems in Orange County, it’s because your ants found sufficient resources to sustain their colony. Ants are attracted to different types of food depending on the species, but all ants rely on water to survive. So, if you’ve got dripping spigots and leaky pipes, it could contribute to your ant problem. By addressing food and water issues around your home, you can reduce the chances of a future infestation.
Some indoor ant prevention tips are:
Store food properly – Put any open pantry foods in sealed containers. Try using sturdy plastic with a tight-sealing lid.
Clean up often – Give your kitchen area lots of attention when it comes to cleaning. Wipe down surfaces and mop for crumbs and spills.
Take out the trash – Make sure that food waste doesn’t accumulate indoors. Throw out trash regularly and rinse out any food containers prior to disposal.
Seal leaky pipes – Try to identify and fix any leaking pipes, faucets, or spigots on your property. Dump out any standing water and ensure that drains and gutters are flowing clearly to prevent water backup.
You can take plenty of precautions to protect your Orange County home from invading ants. But once ants infest your property, you need help from the pros at HomeShield Pest Control to take care of the problem. Our services are 100% guaranteed. We also provide quality commercial pest management services. Get in touch with us today.