Ants

There are many species of ants living across the country in the Houston region, including fire ants, carpenter ants, ghost ants, rover ants, pavement ants, odorous house ants, Pharaoh ants, raspberry crazy ants, and Argentine ants.

Are ants dangerous?

Most species of ants pose no significant harm to people or property. But, some species of dangerous ants do cause structural damage (carpenter ants), spread disease (Pharaoh ants), or bite and sting (fire ants). No matter the species of ant, one thing is sure, they should not be living in your yard or home where they can become a big annoyance, a potential danger, or contaminate food sources.

Why do I have an ant problem?

Ants become a problem for people whose yards and homes provide them easy access to food. The more places they can forage for food, the more likely you will be to have an ant infestation. Ants crawl around gardens, yards, sidewalks, decks, and walkways traveling back and forth from their nest to food sources. Inside homes, they move around kitchen floors and counters searching for food to take back to their colony.

Where will I find ants?

Ants live in both indoor and outdoor locations. They typically build their main nesting site outside and often build satellite nests inside, near sources of food. Here are some common areas you will find ants, broken down by species:

• Fire ants prefer to nest outside in open, sunny areas. Yards, athletic fields, parks, and golf courses make great nesting spots for fire ants.
• Carpenter ants nest outside in fallen trees, tree stumps, and logs. Inside they prefer to nest behind walls and above ceilings in pieces of structural wood, previously damaged by water.
• Ghost ants nest outside in tree cavities or crevices, and under fallen trees, rocks, and logs. Inside they move behind walls, cabinets, and baseboards to nest. They will also nest in the soil of potted plants.
• Rover ants live near areas of moisture and thrive in urban areas, nesting under mulch, leaf litter, and piles of trash. Inside these ants like to nest behind the walls of bathrooms and kitchens.
• Pavement ants nest outside in the soil next to foundations, sidewalks, walkways, and driveways. Inside they nest in ground-level masonry walls, inside of insulation, and behind walls.
• Odorous house ants nest inside near moisture sources, in wall voids near hot water pipes or heaters, is one of their favorite spots. Outside they nest in damp soil under mulch or piles of firewood.
• Pharaoh ants like to nest indoors. They place their nests in warm, humid areas behind walls, baseboards, and under floors, traveling through buildings using its wires and pipes.
• Rasberry crazy ants nest outside in the soil under mulch, woodpiles, landscaping ties, in tree cavities, and tree stumps. They only move inside to forage for food, but do not stay to build nests.
• Argentine ants create nests under boards, rocks, landscaping ties, and in the moist soil along sidewalks. Inside they nest behind walls near pipes and sinks. They also like to nest in the soil of potted plants.

How do I get rid of ants?

The best way to live pest-free is to partner with the Houston pest professionals at GreenForce Pest Solutions. Our family wants to keep your family and home safe from ants and other pests. Our guaranteed services provide our home and business owners with fast, effective pest elimination. With over 40 years of experience in the industry, we are committed to solving your pest problems in the Houston, Texas region.

How can I prevent ants in the future?

In addition to our home pest control and commercial pest control services, keep your property free of ants with the following prevention tips:

• Seal up cracks in the foundation of your home.
• Make sure window and door screen are entirely intact.
• Seal spaces around wires and pipes that are entering into your home.
• Keep food in the refrigerator or airtight containers, not out in the open on counters or tables.
• Repair leaky pipes or sinks.
• Keep tight-fitting or locking lids on outdoor trash cans and compost bins.
• Seal cracks in the driveway.
• Remove fallen trees, tree stumps, logs, and other debris from your yard.
• Reduce moisture levels in and around your home

If you are looking for exceptional ant control for your home or business, reach out to the friendly, local pest control experts at GreenForce Pest Solutions today!