Make no mistake, ants are annoying, and they might even bite. There are many different kinds if ant you can encounter, all seemingly intent on invading your home.
If you are looking for pest control in New Orleans or wherever you happen to be, it would help to know what kind of ants are invading your space, so that you know what you are faced with.
Ant-Spotting
Ants are well organized and if they decide to invade your home, you will probably witness lines of them marching single-file through a crack or opening in your home.
Ants are well organized and if they decide to invade your home, you will probably witness lines of them marching single-file through a crack or opening in your home.
That sight is not something you really want to see, but with over 15,000 identified ant species and subspecies in existence, how do you know what type of ant you are going to have to contend with?
Where you live is a deciding factor, and most states only have a few hundred different species, so at least you have a better chance of identifying them, and so will a pest control expert when you need some help eradicating the problem.
Funny-Smelling Ants
One of the most common ants found inside our homes anywhere, is the odorous house ant.
This ant is small, and dark brown in color. The reason it has its name, is that when you crush this ant, it gives off a very distinctive and odd smell. The odorous house ants simply can’t resist sugary foods and also feeds on dead insects, so try to avoid leaving anything sweet lying around that could attract them in.
Sidewalk Ants
Another common species is the sidewalk ant. It gets its name from the fact that it often lives in sidewalks and under rocks, but will come into your home in search of food.
Most ants like sugary food, and this one is no exception. But a characteristic of the pavement ant is that it is very combative, and you may well witness ant battles in areas like your basement, as different colonies battle for supremacy, and feeding rights in your home.
Good and Bad News About Carpenter Ants
The carpenter ant is one of the largest ants found in the U.S and is typically dark brown or black in color.
The good news is that carpenter ants don’t often live in your home and generally have no intention of doing so. The bad news, is that if they do decide to nest in decaying wood within your home, they can quickly damage the structure, so make sure you take immediate action if you see any evidence of carpenter ants inside your home.
Natural Deterrent
Whatever type of ant you are dealing with, there are some natural deterrent’s that you can try to keep them at bay.
One of the most effective solutions, is to use peppermint essential oil. A few drops of the oil on a cotton ball, which you then wipe the baseboards and other entry points with, should help to put most ants off.
A vinegar spray can also work in controlling ants. The smell of vinegar repels ants and masks their scent trail at the same time. Make up a solution in a spray bottle and spray it around areas where you have seen ant activity.
Identifying which type of ant you are dealing with and using some natural repellants can also help, but if you have a problem that you can’t deal with, it is probably time to call in a professional.
Bio – Robert Kunst is the president of Fischer Environmental Services, a full service pest control firm which serves Louisiana and Mississippi.
II never realized how many different types of ants existed. I have had the house ant in the past and used ant traps. However, I love the idea of using peppermint essential oil instad ofn traps.
Thank you for these tips I didn’t realize there were so many kinds of Ants. I only know I am now having to spray the Vinegar/Water Solution everyday at my back door to keep them out. They are determined little creatures I will give them that!
Fire ants are very nasty and BITE! Lucky for me they don’t live in Colorado, but I lived in Texas and they were all over there.
I sincerely enjoyed reading this post and I learned a lot. I had no idea that there were natural deterrents to fighting ants, I am all over the peppermint essential oil thank you so very much for sharing with great information.
I’m getting peppermint essential oil. It’s not just ants…this is an building with 290 apartments, you would not believe the kind of wildlife that comes out of the walls. Do you know if it works against roaches and spiders and waterbugs (oh my!)
I have peppermint essential oil, good to know what I can use it for!!! I didn’t realize there are this many types of ants! I don’t have too many, but this will help!!!