How To Know Ant Infestation

Ants are true insects with a head, abdomen and thorax. They are also social insects which live together in colonies of large numbers. These ant colonies can range in sizes from a relatively small number to millions of ants, depending on which species.

Each colony provides different ant types that perform specific functions for the colony. These could include workers, warriors and queens. Unlike other insect colonies, most all ant colonies can contain more than one queen, which lay eggs, and then the worker ants take care for the eggs and attend to the queen needs. The army ants protect the colony from invading predators and are very distinguishable from worker ants.

The worker ants tirelessly forage for food and water, more often than naught, at great distances from the rest of the colony. Ants are highly sensitive and use invisible odor trails to communicate to other worker ants of where food is located. That is why you will see ant trails along the path where ants are traveling. The ant trails are distinctive enough to be followed back to the original nesting location, or to where the ants are traveling to.

During certain times of the year, ant colonies will produce a large numbers of winged ants that swarm out to mate and establish new colonies. When a swarm of ants is discovered inside a home, it’s good indication that an ant nest is nearby or even within the house. Unfortunately, winged ants showing up inside a home are often mistaken for termites.

Winged ants and termites can easily be distinguished from each other by comparing certain body features. Ants have a narrow waste where the thorax meets the abdomen. Termites on the other hand, are straight up from head to thorax. Other distinguishing features include; ants have elbowed antennas termites don’t, and ants have larger front and back legs.

Ants can build their nests in many different locations, which can include inside or outside structures. However, ants that have established themselves inside a home are more challenging to control. At that time you need the help of professional pest controllers to remove ants from your home

Most homes are full of areas available for ants to begin building a colony. Some of their preferred sites include between walls, inside and under cabinets, around windows and door frames, and beneath floors and concrete slabs. Almost all of these areas are hidden from view making it extremely difficult to know if you have an infestation or not or where they are hidden. It’s important to note that if you are unable to determine the location of the colony, insecticide baits are your best option for eradication.

Bait insecticides are spread through the entire colony by the worker ants when they are taken back to feed the entire colony, including the egg laying queens. As a result, the entire colony is often destroyed.

When using bait insecticides it's important not to use any other topical insecticide as you want the ants to feed on the bait and then disperse and spread the bait throughout their colony.

It’s important to place the insecticide baits next to ants activity and preferably beside ant trails where they travel. Initially, you should see an increase in the number of ants around the bait station – this is a good sign since the ants have begun to take the bait.

This indicates that the ants are feeding on the bait and transporting the insecticide back to the nest. In a matter of a few days you will then begin to notice inactivity of ants as the colony declines.

Pest control is carried at every corner of the house by the Sams Pest Control Melbourne, with instruction on how to proceed properly. We provide you with the skilled and qualified services of pest control in Melbourne and nearby areas. Contact us today for a free estimate

You can also read our blog on How Much Does It Cost To Hire An Exterminator For Mice.