Ants are more than just annoying creatures that invade your home and crawl around your kitchen and bathroom. They are, in fact, dangerous. While no one can argue that some are more dangerous than others, all ants can introduce bacteria into your home and contaminate your family's food. Also, having ant nesting mounds in your yard damages the aesthetics of your property and can make mowing difficult.

Dangerous ants are those species that spread diseases that make people very ill (Pharaoh ants), those that deliver painful venom-filled stings (fire ants), or those that damage the structure of the home or other building they have invaded.

Ants don't live together in small groups of 10 or 20 that are easy to control; no, that would make things easy! Ants are so problematic for property owners because they invade in the thousands and have multiple outdoor and indoor nesting sites.

Ants nesting in areas near your property will find their way into your yard if there are food sources available such as open trash cans, recycling bins, compost, and gardens. The more food sources available, the more likely ants will gravitate to your property. Moisture also attracts a lot of species of ants. Things like clogged gutters, poor drainage, and the over-watering of gardens will draw ants to your property and eventually, the exterior of your home.

Ants build their central nest outside, but while out foraging for food, they often find their way into our homes and other buildings where they sometimes stay and build satellite nests. Fire ants are the exception; they prefer only to nest outdoors.

Ants often make their way inside while foraging for food, moving through cracks in the foundation, spaces under doors, through vents, and loose or torn screens. They also climb walls and enter through gaps in exterior walls or along the roofline. Once inside, most species will nest near areas of moisture like air conditioners, water pipes, sinks, or drains. Ants build their satellite nests behind walls, above ceilings, or below floors. Ants also like to make their home in commercial properties.

Don't allow ants to take over your business yard or home. Partner with the professionals at Green Flag Services and put into place the following easy to implement prevention tips:

• Ants love to feed on the honeydew that many garden pests like aphids produce. Controlling populations of garden pests can help to prevent problems with ants.
• Get rid of the easy access to their favorite foods from your property. Keep lids on trash cans, pick up uneaten pet food, maintain gardens, and keep outdoor eating areas clean.
• Seal spaces around utilities entering into your home. They often use wires, ducts, and pipes as a highway system.
• Inspect the outside of your house and caulk any entry points you find.
• Get rid of debris like leaf piles or brush piles where ants can hide.
• Maintain a crushed rock barrier between your home and any mulch or soil.
• Make sure gutters and downspouts are directing water away from the outside of your home to prevent the build-up of excess moisture that will attract ants.
• Inside your home, keep the kitchen and dining clean and free of food debris.