Here in Bradenton, Florida, we’ve got our fair share of ants (more than our fair share, really). Our warm winters and humid climate make it easy for many ant species to thrive, and our state has over a dozen problem ant varieties to show for it. In this post, we’ll drill down and focus on the most dangerous ones and talk about some things you can do about them. Here are some ant control tips in from our exterminators in Bradenton.
Red Imported Fire Ants
Red imported fire ants – or more commonly known as just fire ants – are an invasive South American species famous for their propensity to swarm when their nest is under threat. These ants can inflict a painful sting. While one or two stings may be little more than a nuisance on their own, the problem is hundreds of fire ants can crawl up to you in seconds if you disturb their mound, stinging you hundreds of times. This can leave you with painful welts that are open to infection and can even cause anaphylaxis in individuals allergic to insect stings.
Carpenter Ants
Carpenter ants aren’t much of a threat to people, but can potentially be a threat to property. While they don’t eat wood like termites, they do tunnel through damaged wood to build complex colonies that can stretch for dozens – even hundreds – of feet. These nests include highways and living spaces that can weaken wood’s structural integrity and cause decay. Carpenter ants love to get into your home’s wood components like decking, molding, railing, staircases, etc. If they get into your home’s support structure, they can cause thousands of dollars in damage and may lead to costly repairs if proper pest control methods aren’t enacted ahead of time.
Pharaoh Ants
Pharaoh ants are globally distributed because they’ve hopped on humans’ trade routes and spread themselves to every continent except Antarctica. However, they’re a particular problem here in Florida because of our mild winters. Harsh winters can force these ants to find an indoor source of heat or die. But here in Florida, they’re often not presented with such a choice, meaning there’s less natural control of their populations. Pharaoh ants don’t destroy homes or sting, but they spread several types of dangerous bacteria, such as staph, salmonella, and strep. They can contaminate your food stores with these bacteria if they get into your pantry.
Ant Control Tips in Bradenton
With ants stinging you, tunneling through your home, and spreading harmful bacteria, it’s safe to say you don’t want them in your house or backyard. Fortunately, there are lots of things you can do to keep them off your property:
- Keep both trash and food containers covered when not in use.
- Don’t leave pet food bowls sitting out – feed pets, clean the bowls, and put them away.
- Never leave dirty dishes sitting around. Wash them immediately after use.
- Repair possible access points to your home including cracks and holes in the foundation or siding, tears in window screens, gaps underneath doors, etc.
Unfortunately, ants can break through even the toughest prevention measures. If that happens, they can be tough to get rid of. Some ant species proliferate fast, pumping out dozens of satellite nests and new queens and making it almost impossible to get every last one. That’s why you’ll need help from a professional pest control exterminator, like Rodent Solutions.
Here at Rodent Solutions, we have the solution to more than just rodent problems. With 40 years of combined experience in the pest and rodent control industry, we’ve got the solution to all your pest problems! Not only do we have the plans to get rid of the pests on your Bradenton property, but we also have tons of knowledge and experience in construction, giving us a deeper understanding of how pests invade homes and how to seal them against infestation. So if the ant control tips above did not work, give us a call at (941) 704-0063 or visit our contact page to schedule your service today. We have a 5-Star Google rating and we can put our years of experience with different pest control methods to work for you. We guarantee we will rid your home of ants quickly.
Pest/Wildlife Control 15 Years
Construction for 13 Years
Pest Control License JB299099
Wildlife License LW203605
Pest Management University: Founders and Masters
AAS Degree in Drafting Design with a Concentration in Building Construction
NWCOA Member (National Wildlife Control Operators Association)
NWCOA Rodent Standard Certified
NWCOA Bat Standard Certified
NCWOA Certified Urban Bird Management Operator
NWCOA Zoonotic Disease Standard Certified
Member of the National Pest Management Association (NPMA)
Bird Barrier Certified Installer
Bird-B-Gone Authorized Installer
OSHA 10 Training Completed for the Construction Industry
Aerial Lift Certified
Fall Protection Certified