Have you had ants in your Santa Barbara home? Even if you've never had these pests before, there are good odds that you'll have an infestation. Unfortunately, ants in the area are prevalent home-invading insects because they are so prolific and have large colonies. But, some ants in Santa Barbara are more of an issue than others.
One of these particularly invasive species is the pharaoh ant, and while many ants in the area are just nuisances, pharaoh ants are dangerous. To keep your home safe from the risks of pharaoh ant infestations, read this guide put together by the professionals at Jhonny's Pest Control.
Will A Pharaoh Ant Bite Me?
Pharaoh ants have mouths, just like all animals that eat with their mouths. However, their mouthparts are too tiny to bite people. They also have a small stinger, but they don't sting people. Therefore, they are different from species like the fire ant known to attack people to defend their nests.
But, just because pharaoh ants don't sting or bite, it doesn't mean that they are harmless. These are one of the few ant species that spread dangerous diseases. They can carry salmonella and staphylococcus, so when they get into your house or food items, there is a chance they could make you sick.
Do Pharaoh Ants Carry Anything?
Pharaoh ants aren't always making you sick, but it's still best to be cautious. They are only about 1/16th of an inch long, but while incredibly tiny, they often live inside the wall or under flooring and prefer places that give them easy access to food sources. They invade residential homes and businesses and are even known for infesting hospitals and getting into patient I.V's.
What Is Attracting Pharaoh Ants Into My House?
Pharaoh ants will form a colony anywhere they can get something to eat, and they aren't that picky about the things they'll consume. If they get a chance, they'll invade pantries and cupboards.
If these ants do get into any food, you should discard these products immediately to be safe. You should also sanitize any surfaces that pharaoh ants touch.
Along with access to food, pharaoh ants also prefer somewhat humid environments. They need access to water, so having elements like leaky plumbing or standing water can attract them.
Finally, pharaoh ants also needed a way to get inside a home; this isn't necessarily difficult for them because of their small size, but it's easier for them to get indoors if you have torn screens or unsealed doors and windows.
What Can I Do To Remove A Pharaoh Ant Infestation?
Pharaoh ants don't just have one queen in their colonies. They can have over 200, and their nests can contain more than 300,000 ants. These large numbers make it difficult to remove these ants using DIY ant control methods. You can purchase products at the store, such as baits and traps, but they'll likely only get part of the infestation.
Instead, it's much more effective to seek help from the Santa Barbara pest control experts. Our team of technicians at Jhonny's Pest Control can remove these dangerous ants from your home in no time and then devise a treatment plan to keep them away in the future. Call us today to start a treatment plan or request a quote.