All About Ants: Facts You Should Know

Ants are common insects that are found in almost all parts of the world. While ants normally make their homes in nature, they could end up in your home and cause problems for you and your family. By learning more about these bugs, you'll gain a better understanding of the habits of ants and what pest control experts can do to get rid of them from your home. 

Ant Colonies

Ants are social insects that build nests where their colonies live. Most ant nests are located underground and consist of a complex network of tunnels and chambers. The ants in these colonies manage a variety of duties to keep their colonies alive. Some colonies consist of thousands of ants.

Ants within these colonies serve different roles, and almost all nonreproductive females are classified as worker ants. Some ants remain and work exclusively within the nest while other ants leave to search for food or mate. The queen is the key female ant that's responsible for laying eggs and maintaining the colony's population. Male ants usually have wings and are only made to breed. 

While ants generally form their nests in forests and other natural settings, some may try to build their nests on your property or even inside your home. If you have an ant problem, pest control experts can check all areas of your home to look for nests that should be removed. 

Types of Ants

Many different ant species exist, and some species are confined to living exclusively in certain parts of the world. Among the most common ants found in the Illinois–Indiana–Kentucky tri-state area are:

• Carpenter ants
• Pavement ants
• Odorous house ants
• Little black ants
• Thief ants

Potential Dangers of Ants

Ants can also contaminate food sources in your home and may cause illnesses and allergic reactions in some people. Carpenter ants and other ant species can damage homes by chewing holes into wood.

Food Sources

Ants usually don't have too much trouble finding food in the wild, but they may be drawn to your home if you have a lot of foods that will satisfy their appetites and are easy to bring back to their nest. Ants can also lead other ants to food sources by leaving trails of pheromones. Even the tiniest food particles in your home can attract more ants.

Ants often enjoy eating foods like:

• Bread crumbs
• Sugary foods
• Seeds 
• Pet food 
• Plant material

Common Home Entry Routes

Even if ants haven't built a nest in your home or somewhere else on your property, they might still get into your home to search for food or potential mates. Ants can enter through openings around doors and windows as well as cracks and holes that haven't been sealed. Foundation gaps often provide additional entryways for ants. You might also accidentally bring ants that are on objects into your home.

How Pest Control Experts Eliminate Them

Pest control experts can usually eliminate ants more thoroughly than DIY methods. Using chemicals isn't always the best or safest way to get rid of ants, and companies like Pass Pest Control use fewer chemicals and more mechanical controls to baits.

In addition to focusing on the ants themselves, the most knowledgeable pest control professionals target the entrances that ants often use to invade homes. This offers a more thorough way to keep ants from coming back into your home.

You can soon make your house an ant-free zone by hiring the right professionals to rid you of your ant problem. Contact Pass Pest Control to get help from the experts.