Ant control in Queen Creek should be a vital part of a home or business owner's overall pest control plan. Arizona is host to many ant species capable of making life miserable for property owners. There are several ant species to keep an eye for—such as carpenter ant and southern fire ants—and Queen Creek residents must take measures to prevent them from invading their homes. Fortunately, there are plenty of weapons you can use to protect your residence from a horde of these pests.
The Types Of Ants That Invade Queen Creek Properties
We have three primary problem species in our area that can do more damage than just making your countertop look ugly:
- Fire Ants—Our climate is too dry for the infamous red imported fire ant to do well in Arizona. However, Queen Creek does have the southern fire ant and desert fire ant. These fire ants are just as aggressive and can inflict a nasty sting.
- Carpenter Ants—Carpenter ants in Queen Creek can cause massive problems for homeowners. These big black ants live in wood. This species can rack up a lot of property damage if left untreated.
- Pharaoh Ants—A pharaoh ant colony on your property poses serious threats to your health. While these small, yellow ants cannot sting, they are carriers of disease and spread pathogens shared by cockroaches and rodents.
The Problems Ants Can Cause On Your Queen Creek Property
If they invade your home, ants can cause health problems for you and structural issues for your property. Fire ants and pharaoh ants pose the biggest threat to your well-being. Pharaoh ants spread infections, such as strep, salmonella, and staph, and contaminate surfaces and food stores. Fire ants, on the other hand, are aggressive and sting. Stumbling on a mound of these critters can result in numerous stings that can trigger allergic reactions.
Meanwhile, carpenter ants threaten your property. Carpenter ants in your house will tunnel through the home's wooden components, such as floor joists, support beams, and wall studs. That means an untreated infestation of carpenter ants in Queen Creek can lead to expensive damages and build up to a full-on collapse of walls or roofs.
The Best Way To Protect Your Queen Creek Home From Ants
If you end up with carpenter ants in your house or a pharaoh ant colony on your property, you will likely need professional pest control services. These stubborn pests have complex colonies that can be tough to locate, making it difficult for homeowners to eliminate them without help. Over-the-counter treatments like ant granules or traps tend to just temporarily reduce the ant population on a property and fail to kill an entire infestation.
Seeking professional help, such as from the experts at Quell Pest Control, is the best approach for an active ant problem. Proper pest control ensures the complete eradication of every colony on a property and reduces the odds of a future infestation.
Five Natural Ways To Keep Ants Away From Your Queen Creek Property
While professional pest control services are the best forms of ant control in Queen Creek for an active ant problem, there are measures you can take to avoid getting an infestation altogether. Here are five steps that work to prevent an infestation:
- Tightly seal potential food sources like trash cans and pantry stores at all times to mask their smells.
- Feed pets and put food and bowls away when not in use.
- Spray ant lines with white vinegar to disrupt pheromone trails.
- Seal off cracks and holes in your home’s exterior to make it hard for ants to enter.
- Get rid of rotten or damaged wood around your home to encourage carpenter ants to nest elsewhere.
These five steps are an effective defense against ants of all types; however, they do little to improve an infestation. If you have an ant problem, contact Quell Pest Control right away. We can inspect your home to find all the problem areas and help you come up with a plan to keep your home ant-free forever.