The Types Of Ants You Could Encounter In Chicago
There are over 12,000 different species of ants in the world, but luckily only 124 of those species reside in Illinois. Not all ants are problem pests for residential areas, though, so only a tiny fraction of those ants regularly infest Chicago neighborhoods:
- Pharaoh ants – 1/16 of an inch in length, coloring ranges between yellow and red with a darker colored abdomen.
- Odorous house ants – 1/8 inch in length, dark brown to black.
- Argentine ants – 1/8 of an inch in length, tan to dark brown.
- Carpenter ants – range between 3/8 to 1/2 of an inch in length, typically red, black, or a mixture of the two colors.
- Pavement ants – roughly 1/16 to 1/8 of an inch long, light brown to black.
Most of these ants are harmless nuisance pests, but pharaoh ants and carpenter ants are dangerous in your home. Carpenter ants destroy wooden structures, while pharaoh ants spread many harmful diseases like streptococcus, staphylococcus, and salmonella.
Why Ants Infest Chicago Homes
Ants will infest properties for many reasons. Inclement weather such as cold snaps, heat waves, and flooding will force ant colonies to seek more stable shelter, and commodities like accessible food and water will attract ants into our homes. Leaky pipes, moisture-retaining rooms, compacted soil, food particles, and improper food storage are common culprits for enticing ants onto residential properties.
Getting Rid Of Ants In Your Yard And Home
You may think that it's easy to get rid of ants on your property, but it's more complicated than you'd expect. Ants build large, intricate nests underneath the soil, so if you don't know how to administer pesticides properly, it could worsen your ant problem. Certain pesticides are also ineffective during specific seasons, so if you're struggling with DIY extermination, here's why it's not working:
Scared ants are defensive ants. If you use the wrong pesticides, you'll scare the colony into splitting up and branching out. This will create multiple ant colonies on your property instead of just one.
Ants are very smart. If they discover dangerous substances in an area they frequently visit, they'll move to another area of the house that doesn't contain pesticides.
Bait isn't always practical. Ants have all the food they need during the winter since they collect an excess of sustenance to help tide them over until the spring. If you try to use bait during a winter infestation, it just won't work.
Chicago pest control technicians are trained to treat household pest infestations. We have all the knowledge necessary to provide effective ant control for your home, so if you're struggling with an infestation, call in the professionals.
Total Ant Control For Chicago Residents With Aerex Pest Control
Ants are annoying, messy, and potentially dangerous, so you shouldn't let them get comfortable in your Chicago home. Our pest professionals at Aerex Pest Control know how to get rid of ants quickly and efficiently with natural family-friendly pest control products. We understand how important the health and safety of your family are, which is why we're dedicated to providing exceptional services with our pest-free guarantee. So give us a call today to learn more about our treatment plans.