Why can’t I get rid of these ants, and why do they seem to get worse every year?

Millions of American homeowners spot trails of ants through their kitchens or dining area, especially in the warmer months. That’s when ants seem to be everywhere around your house. Like all uninvited guests, they appear to be in no hurry to leave and get into everything.

No matter how much you try, you can’t get rid of them easily. That’s why these little critters have the potential to drive you insane.

The two most common types of ants you are likely to come across are carpenter ants and odorous house ants. Typically, these ants come to seek alternative food sources when rain or floods destroy their homes. That’s why they invade your indoor space.

Odorous House Ants

The odorous house ants (also called house ants) enter your home after heavy rains and floods destroy their natural habitat. Most people believe their odor has a strange pine scent, while some equate it with the smell of rotten coconuts. Measuring from 2.4 to 3.3 mm, these ants have dark brown or black bodies. The tiny but fast ants travel in lines but run erratically when they sense an alarming situation.

Why do I see these Ants Everywhere?

Once they invade your living space, house ants create nests in the voids and tiny openings in your walls or floors. Since they enter your home in search of food, you will spot them near your kitchen pantry and shelves. Odorous house ants prefer building indoor nests near warm and moist locations. However, they may also nest outside and crawl indoors later through cracks in your home’s windows and doors.

Are Odorous House Ants Dangerous?

As their name suggests, these ants release an unpleasant odor if you crush or kill them. Removal of house ants is crucial because they contaminate food products. Although house ants don’t bite or sting, they can become a pain when they travel in large numbers.

How to Get Rid of Odorous House Ants

There are numerous ways to get rid of house ants. The most crucial step to prevent ants from invading your space is to keep them out of your house in the first place.

Here are some ideas and tips to gain control over your residential or commercial environment:

  • Trim shrubs and trees to remove these common access points. If you don’t cut back shrubs and branches regularly, ants will climb them and make their way to your home through cracks and crevices.
  • Cover and secure your food containers. Remember to wipe your kitchen countertops, surfaces, and cabinets clean, so ants don’t feast on any tiny crumbs.
  • If your pet is not eating, don’t leave food in their bowls. That way, you won’t only prevent ants but other pests such as flies, mice, and cockroaches.

In most cases, these tips are not enough to ensure the complete removal of ants from your premises. That’s when you need professional pest control services.

McCarthy Pest & Termite Control for Ant Extermination

McCarthy Pest and Termite Control has expert and qualified technicians on board who can take care of the most stubborn ant infestations. Whether you want premium-quality services for your home, office, restaurant, hospital, or any living space, we provide hi-tech pest control services at an affordable rate.

We specialize in removing odorous house ants from your residential or commercial building. Our trained technicians employ commercial-grade products so you can get rid of these ants permanently. Get in touch with us if you want to know more about our services.

Sources
https://www.pestworld.org/pest-guide/ants/carpenter-ants/
https://www.consumerreports.org/pest-control/how-to-get-rid-of-ants-in-the-house/
https://mccarthypest.com/