A Fool-Proof Way To Keep Ants Out Of Your Orlando Home

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Ants are some of the tiniest nuisance pests we deal with, but they never infest in small numbers. These minuscule insects populate quickly and live in huge colonies that consist of millions upon millions of ants. Infestation can spread rapidly and grow out of control, becoming extremely overwhelming to homeowners. Let’s review some of the most common ant species in Orlando and different ways to help you distinguish them from one another.

a carpenter ant crawling on wood decking

Argentine Ants

  • About 1/16 to 1/4 inch long

  • Dark/light brown

  • Oval-shaped, segmented body with 6 legs

  • Colonies are massive and splinter off quickly; each has multiple queens

  • Tend to travel in noticeable trails

Carpenter Ants

  • About ½ inch long

  • Red/black

  • Oval-shaped, segmented body with six legs and antennae

  • Often confused with termites, but carpenter ants don’t actually eat the wood

  • Destroy wet, decaying wood when construct nests

  • Mostly live in nests that they create outside of the home

Pavement Ants

  • About 1/6 inch long

  • Light brown/black

  • Segmented, oval-shaped body with six legs

  • Extremely territorial of their nesting areas

  • Build their colonies under the pavement

Fire Ants

  • About 1/8 - 3/8 inch long

  • Copper/red/brown

  • Oval-shaped, segmented body with six legs and antennae

  • Give off a painful sting when threatened

  • Can become aggressive and crawl vertically up surfaces

While most household ants are simply considered nuisance pests, there are a few species that can be destructive to your property, and threatening to you and your loved ones. Regardless of the species, you’re dealing with, though, no ants are ever welcome in your Orlando home. Ant infestation is intrusive, it’s unsanitary, and it can spread rapidly. That’s why prevention is absolutely key. Consider the prevention tips below in your efforts to control ant populations on your property.

Helpful Ways To Minimize Your Exposure To Ant Activity

  • Clean off counters, sticky jars, or residue as these attract ants.

  • Wipe up spills and crumbs and keep food stored in tightly sealed containers.

  • Don’t leave pet food out and be sure to store it in sealed plastic containers.

  • Take out the garbage frequently and keep it in a lidded trash can outside.

  • Eliminate access points by sealing all cracks and crevices around your foundation.

  • Get rid of standing water and any sources of excess moisture around the property.

  • Maintain functional downspouts and gutter to keep water flowing away from the foundation.

  • Repair leaky pipes, faulty facets, and malfunctioning drains around the house.

  • Install a dehumidifier in damper areas of the house like basements, crawl spaces, and attics.

  • Keep branches, trees, and bushes well-trimmed and directed away from the house.

The main thing to keep in mind when it comes to effective ant prevention is that you must eliminate all attractants around your property. When you get rid of these attractants, ants have less of an incentive to invade your space. Common attractants include anything that provides easy access to sources of food, water, and shelter. You’ll also want to inspect common entry points and look out for any conducive conditions around your property. Here are some points of entry through which ants can gain access into your home.

  • Cracks in walls and foundation

  • Foundation gaps

  • Cracks or gaps in the floor or near baseboards along the floor

  • Unsealed exterior holes

  • Gaps surrounding utility and plumbing lines

  • Windows and window frames

  • Doors and door sweeps

If you suspect any ant activity on your Orlando property, the best choice you can make is to contact the pest professionals. Here at Green Flag Services, we are proud to offer year-round ant control and prevention services that guarantee lasting protection from ant infestation. Call us today to schedule your inspection and we’ll get started right away.

Tags: ant identification | ants in orlando | home pest control |

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