Ant Identification & Prevention

North America is home to many species of ants. Ants are social insects that vary in size, color, behavior, and nesting habits depending on their species. Generally, we can identify ants by their body parts: head, thorax, and abdomen. They also have six legs, antennae, and chewing mouthparts. Only the reproductive members (queens and males) have wings. Some common ants in the Orange County, CA area include:

• Acrobat ant

• Argentine ant

• Harvester ant

• Little black ant

• Odorous house ant

• Pavement ant

• Pharaoh ant

• Carpenter ant

• Crazy ant

Ants are social insects, meaning they live together and work together as a team to ensure their colony is thriving. They communicate with each other through pheromones. When a food source is discovered, the ants will lay down a pheromone trail to guide other colony members to it. Their excellent communication skills are the main reason ants are so successful and difficult to control.

The majority of species of ants that we come across and that invade our structures are nuisance ants. Because of their small size, ants can become a problem in almost any structure. Keeping these pests from moving in and out of our homes is frustrating and, without the help of a professional, very time-consuming. 

In addition to how annoying they are, ants are unwanted because they are responsible for contaminating food, invading our properties in large numbers, and spreading bacteria; nuisance ants do not pose significant threats to people or our properties.

While most ants are harmless, there are some species of dangerous ants that we need to be aware of to protect ourselves. Some dangerous ants are aggressive and bite or sting; others create serious health risks. Ants can also cause damage to our property by chewing through structural wood and wires. Ant infestations have been the root cause of short circuits and fires. Examples of dangerous ants in Orange County, CA include carpenter ants, pharaoh ants, and fire ants.

Ant infestations are so common because our properties tend to provide ants with their basic needs. Food odors are what usually first attract ants to a property. Things like open trash containers, compost, outdoor eating areas, and gardens are places where ants forage for food. They also love to feast on leftover pet food, spills, and crumbs in outdoor eating areas.

After becoming comfortable foraging for food in your yard, it is only a matter of time before they find small openings in your home’s exterior and move inside. Our houses, garages, and sheds offer ants an escape from harsh weather conditions, easy access to food, and safe nesting sites.

Ants usually prefer to build their large main nest outside but often create satellite nests indoors after being attracted inside by food odors or to escape harsh weather conditions. Inside homes, ants usually build their nest in locations that are out of sight, like behind wall voids, baseboards, cabinets, large appliances, and vents.

If ants have made themselves comfortable in or around your home, you are likely to notice the following signs:

• Long trails of ants crawling over surfaces in your home

• Dirt mounds in one or more locations in your yard

• Large numbers of ants moving throughout your yard, gardens, and over walkways

• Rustling sounds behind your home’s walls

At any notice of ants on your property, reach out to us. We are here to provide ant control in your home and yard.

Have you tried everything but are still having ant problems? Few things are more annoying than an ant infestation; it happens fast, and you want these pests gone ASAP. We are ant experts and would love to solve your ant problem. Let our team give your home or business the year-round protection it needs.

With over 250 years of combined leadership experience, The PEST Group is the best choice to get rid of ants from your Orange County, California, property. If you are looking for an experienced, dedicated professional to eliminate ant invaders from your property, contact The PEST Group and request your free inspection today!

Use the following prevention tips to prevent an ant infestation in your home:

• Trim tree branches and overgrown vegetation away from your home’s exterior walls and foundation.

• Keep gutters in good working order, directing water away from your home’s exterior.

• Leave a crushed rock barrier between any soil and your foundation.

• Place weatherstripping around windows.

• Immediately clean up spills and crumbs.

• Inside, store leftover food in the refrigerator, not on counters or tables.

• Inspect your house's foundation and exterior walls, sealing up any openings you find.

• Keep tight-fitting or locking lids on trash cans and compost bins. Store them off the ground and away from your house.

In conjunction with the above tips, partner with us and implement a year-round residential or commercial pest control service. For fast, active ant removal, call us now!