The Odds are great that if you see a few ants inside your home, there is a nest close by. Ants, like all insects, are beneficial, but not so much when they invade your home. The Pacific Northwest area of the United States is home to several species of nuisance ants, including the Carpenter ant, Pharaoh ant, honey ants, and odorous house ant. If a homeowner suspects they have an ant infestation, the first thing to do is to contact Valley Inspections & Pests Inc for a free consultation.
The most problematic species of ants are Carpenter ants. Carpenter ants are easily mistaken for termites because of their preference to establish their colony in wood. They are usually black or black and red and up to 13 mm long -; one of the largest species of ants. Carpenter ants are considered structural pests and will attack sound wood as well as decaying wood. They do not eat the wood but rather remove it to raise their colony. They become highly agitated when defending their nest and have a painful sting.
Hiring a professional exterminator for Ant Control is imperative as they are trained to identify species of ants, which is important, as not all species react the same to the treatment methods. Successful control often involves a two-stage approach utilizing both baiting techniques and insecticides.
1. Baiting –; Ants are scavengers and foragers, gathering food and carrying it back to the nest. Once the exterminator identifies the ants preferred travel pathways, they will place bait stations in these locations around the foundation. The ants carry the treated bait back to the nest where it is distributed.
2. Insecticides -; The experts at Valley Inspections & Pests Inc have various types of insecticides at their disposal depending on the insect infestation. These include granular solids, a wettable powder or a concentrated liquid. All of these insecticides will kill any foraging ants, however, killing the queen is the key to success. The baiting method will eliminate the queen, which is a why the two-stage approach is necessary for control.
Pest control exterminators are dedicated to providing the best pest control services available, without recommending unnecessary services. Early detection is the best guarantee for successful elimination and often times the pest can be eradicated on the first visit. In addition, pest control companies offer year-round protection programs that protect against a wide variety of insects. You can like them on Facebook.
