Washington Common Ants

Jun 1

One ant living in your kitchen soon becomes a dozen, and they continue to multiply until it overwhelms you. Pest Busters Washington WA's experts are available to provide information on Washington beetles and how you can treat them to keep them away from your home.

Washington's Ants Types

Earth's current population of ants is estimated to be one million billion. They are spread across over 12,000 species. That's a lot! There are only four kinds of common ants to worry about in Washington.

Odorous House Ants
Carpenter Ants
Pavement Ants
Velvety Ants

Odorous House Ants

Odorous house ants, also known to be called sugar ants, can grow to about 1/16 to 1/8 inch in length, and they are either black or dark brown. Their unpleasant odor when crushed is similar to that of rotten coconut. They prefer sweets and meats so they are often found in the kitchen. It can be very difficult to locate their nest within your home because of their nocturnal nature. They are not dangerous and can only bite.

Carpenter Ants

Carpenter Ants are the largest of all ants. They can reach 1/4 to 1/2 an inch in length, but the queen can reach as high as 1 inch. This ant is found in moist, decaying, hollow, or wood. They tunnel through the wood to make their nests. This can lead to significant structural damage to your property.

Pavement Ants

Pavement Ants are most commonly found along sidewalks or driveways. However, they can also migrate indoors for food. They can take over your trashcans, compost bins, outdoor gardens, and even pet bowls.

Velvety Ants

Velvety ants are covered with dense, fine hairs. Typically, they make their nests inside trees, stumps, or logs. They are most likely to nest indoors in damp, rotting, or moist walls. Velvety ants can bite and inject poison into the skin which can cause severe pain.

What Are the Reasons for Ants in The House

Ants are always hungry for water and food. If they find water or food in your home, they will inform their colony. Anything from a leaking faucet to spilled juice or forgotten pet food can serve as beacons. Once they find a food source, the insects will create an ant trail and carry it back to the colony. Most likely, if you can find the source of the infestation, you will be able to get rid of them. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.

How to Prevent Ants From Entering Your Home

It's easier to prevent ants from coming into your home from an existing infestation than to get rid of them. You can make a big difference by doing simple tasks like:

Washing dishes to avoid food leftovers sitting out in the night.
Use a vacuum to remove crumbs
Keep your counters clean especially if there is a spillage or you are preparing food.
Keep your food in sealed containers, so that ants don't get into them.
Seal gaps and cracks in the foundation.
Inspect the home for any moisture problems.
Take out any branches and limbs that might be touching your house. This could allow the ants to use it as a bridge.
Perimeter spray treatments will kill all ants who pass through the barrier.

How to get rid of ants from your home

Catching an ant infestation early can help you eliminate it more quickly.

Store-bought lure stations work in the same way as a bait stations. The bait is then given to the ants, who then bring it back home to their colony. The bait spreads, eliminating all ants from the colony.
Insecticidal treatments kill all ants at once and can also provide a barrier of protection that lasts for days.

Both of these options are less likely to provide lasting protection than short-term relief. It is impossible to identify the source of the infestation and you will have to treat only those ants. Professional ant control experts are required to identify the source of the problem. Pest Busters Olympia WA is a full-service pest control company that uses safe and effective products to get rid of ants.

Pest Busters Olympia WA

Olympia Wa

(360) 226 1790