Ant pests are considered to be among the most prevalent pests in both the house and the yard. There are over 12,000 species of ants in the world, about 17 of which predominate in Florida.

Interestingly, many ants are beneficial to humans and the environment in general, performing such helpful functions as feeding on other troublesome insects like fleas and termites. However, when ants infest a house, it’s usually for a purpose that brings annoyance. That’s when the services of a pest control professional are vital.

Ants are actually close relatives of bees and wasps. While most forms of ants are easily recognized, winged varieties of ants may be confused with termites — a completely different pest. The ant species most likely to present problems for Florida homeowners include the following:

• Little fire ants: These tiny brownish or golden ants may be small, but they’re known for their painful sting. While they may enter homes to forage, their major presence is outdoors in areas of vegetation.
• Carpenter ants: True to their name, carpenter ants have a thing for wood. Unlike termites, however, carpenters don’t actually consume wood as food. Instead, they burrow into wooden structures to build nests. Carpenters can cause serious structural damage and, because they prefer indoor habitat, are an annoying presence in the home.
• Ghost ants: These pale white pests are active foragers in kitchens, bathrooms and elsewhere. They exploit structural cracks and gaps to gain entrance and are among the most common indoor ant pests.

Control of ant pests indoors and out combines several strategies. Professional pest services will begin with a comprehensive inspection of the outdoor landscape, as well as often inaccessible areas of the home where ants typically nest. Baits may be utilized to send poison back to the colony and coupled with barrier sprays at entrance points. Powdered pesticides may be laid inside wall voids and in deep crevices. Scheduled re-inspections should be carried out to check for recurrence.

Haggerty Pest Service provides pest inspection and control from Broward County north to Port St. Lucie County. Contact us about ridding your home of ant pests today.

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