Ants are such common household pests that you might not even notice them at first. After all, what’s a couple of ants? But when a couple of ants turn into a full-blown infestation, it becomes much more of an issue. You’ll need quality pest control in Santa Barbara that’s designed to keep ants out of your home for good. You need Jhonny’s Pest Control. Our ant expertise and professional, affordable treatments will get rid of the ants while keeping your home and family safe.
Common Types Of Ants That Plague Santa Barbara Homes
Ants are incredibly common pests in Santa Barbara homes. Their tri-segmented bodies and long antennae make them pretty easy to identify from other insect invaders. But when it comes to telling various ant species apart, color and size are the easiest ways.
Argentine ants are dark brown to black in color. They range in size from one-sixteenth of an inch to a quarter inch. These ants often travel in long lines, so you might see ant trails around your home.
Pharaoh ants are tiny. They’re most easily identified by their color, though. These ants can be pale yellow or reddish with darker abdomens. Pharaoh ants are often found in commercial spaces but can invade homes, too. They can use electrical wires, pipes, and other “pathways” to travel around buildings.
How Dangerous Is It To Have Ants In My House?
Ants are usually considered to be nuisance pests, which means that they aren’t actively harmful. Argentine ants fall into this category. It can be annoying to have them in your home, but they don’t bite or sting, and they don’t spread disease. However, there is a risk of food contamination as ants walk across various surfaces, including where food is prepared, as well as food items themselves.
Pharaoh ants are more harmful. They are known to spread diseases such as salmonellosis, staphylococcus, and streptococcus. Pharaoh ants will often break off into smaller colonies spread throughout a building, which makes infestations difficult to manage.
When ant infestations grow, they can actually disrupt the natural ecosystem. Colonies can grow quickly, and ants will do whatever they can to get food. Additionally, ant colonies often nest in wall voids and other hard-to-reach places. This makes treating an infestation even more difficult.
What’s Attracting Ants In My House?
Even ants have three basic needs: food, water, and shelter. This is what brings them into homes. Many ant species, including Argentine and pharaoh ants, have varied diets that include sugars, proteins, grease, and other insects. They prefer to live in warm, humid environments. Ant prevention centers on taking away these basics from ants so they don’t see your home as an ideal place to live. You can do this by:
- Sealing cracks and holes in the walls of your home.
- Fixing anything that’s causing excess moisture.
- Cleaning up crumbs and food spills quickly.
- Storing food in airtight containers.
- Disposing of trash properly and keeping the receptacles clean.
- Trimming tree branches and other vegetation back from your house.
Cracks and other open spaces in your walls can give ants a way into your home or even into the walls. Remember, these ants are tiny; it doesn’t take a big opening to let them inside. Leaky pipes and poorly ventilated spaces can create the right amount of humidity to keep ants comfortable. Make any necessary repairs and ensure that all basements, attics, and crawl spaces are aired out. Food is one of the biggest attractions for ants. Spills, open containers, and trash cans can all become food sources for these insects. Make sure to keep your kitchen as clean as possible to prevent ant infestations. Long branches that touch your house can act as bridges for ants to move from the outside into your home. Keep all trees and bushes trimmed back, so they don’t touch your home.
Ant prevention is important for Santa Barbara homeowners. But when a colony has already moved in, you’ll need professional ant control.
Call The Professionals At The First Sign Of Ants In Your House
Jhonny’s Pest Control is dedicated to keeping Santa Barbara homes and families safe and healthy. We don’t just spray your home with a pesticide and call it a day; instead, we find treatment options that will work for you. Our products are family-friendly and as low-impact as possible. That means we avoid harsh products that will have a negative effect on the environment. When it comes to home ant control in Santa Barbara, Jhonny’s Pest Control is the best way to go for safe, effective, and affordable treatments.