Which Reno Ants Do You Have?
If you live in Reno and see an ant in your home, you are probably looking at either a carpenter ant, harvester ant, or pavement ant. The carpenter ant is relatively large and has antennae with no club on the end. What makes these ants unique is their desire and ability to tunnel into wood. Unfortunately, this could leave your home damaged.
Meanwhile, the harvester ant is also quite large. It's reddish or orange in color and is most commonly found in fields. Although it's rare to find these ants indoors, it is possible. If you threaten this type of ant, it may bite and sting you. The pavement ant is small and usually has a nest under the cracks in your concrete. When these ants get inside, they might seem to be everywhere.
Whichever Reno ant you have, it's important to know that it doesn't belong there. Some ants can contaminate your food, and others are just a nuisance. In any case, you don't want them inside your property.
What Attracts Reno Ants?
If you already have ants, you are probably attracting ants in one or more ways, such as:
- Improper Trash Storage: Keeping trash in an open container is a great way to invite ants indoors. Usually, the crumbs and leftovers in your garbage can call over all the ants in the neighborhood. For ant prevention, try storing your trash in cans with lids. Make sure the lids seal well, or ants could still get inside.
- Poor Food Storage: When you place open food in your pantry, ants have a quick and easy meal. Your best bet is to store your food properly by using sealed plastic or glass containers. Every so often, check your pantry for crumbs and clean it when necessary.
- Moisture: If you have moist areas in your home, the moisture could be appealing to these Reno pests. Ants need water to survive, so they're more likely to nest in a home with moisture. Excess moisture can also result in wet wood, which will attract carpenter ants. There are some very simple ways to reduce the moisture in and around your home. If you identify a plumbing leak, repair it as soon as you can. Letting a leak persist only makes more water available to ants, so even a small leak is an issue. In certain rooms of your home, consider using a vent or dehumidifier. Ants are often found in bathrooms and kitchens because of the high humidity.
Seal Up Entrances: Because ants are so low to the ground, they can get through tiny entrances to your home. If you have any cracks or crevices, you are giving ants a big welcome into your home. You can avoid this by using a door sweep and sealing up around your windows. If you see small cracks in or around your home, seal them up with caulk. Otherwise, ants will continue to intrude.
What To Do About An Ant Invasion
Although you might try to make your home less appealing to ants, they could still persist. The most effective form of ant elimination and prevention is to work with professionals. Here at Natura Pest Control, we have dealt with enough ant infestations to give you great results. Our team is ready to help you get rid of ants and keep them away for good. Call us now for details.