Keep Ants At Bay Effective Prevention And Control Strategies For Chicago Homes
There are many ways to keep ants at bay. Some things are best done by a homeowner, some by a licensed pest control service provider. Today, we're going to tell you a bit about both. We'll show you how to understand your ant problems and share some effective ant prevention tips so you can avoid some common pitfalls. We'll also tell you the professional strategies pest control technicians use to deal with ants.
If you've been looking for a guide on ant control for homeowners, we have good news. You've found it. In this short article, you'll discover everything you need to know about getting and staying on top of ant issues.
As always, help is available if you need it. You can contact your Aerex Pest Control service team at any time for advanced pest solutions in Chicago. We are here for you.
Types Of Ants: Understanding Common Ant Species
The first step in dealing with ants is understanding how they behave and why they do the things they do. There is a lot of confusion regarding ants. We know this because of the questions we get. For example, residents ask us, "What causes flying ants in the house?" While this may be a simple question for someone who deals with ants all the time, to a homeowner who has little to do with ant control, it is a mystery.
Another question people often ask is, "What is the difference between flying ants and termites?" Again, while we know there is a big difference between these two common pests, we also understand that the things obvious to us are not necessarily obvious to Chicago residents. Let's consider these questions together.
- When you see winged ants in your house, it is evidence that you have an indoor nest. The reason is that winged ants don't generally look to enter the dim interiors of man-made structures; they gravitate to bright exteriors.
- When you see winged ants in your house, it is important to identify the ant species. If you have large black ants with wings, you have a carpenter ant infestation, which is something you should definitely get checked out by a licensed professional.
- When you see winged ants, they may make you think of termite swarmers because they're similar. All ants produce winged ants, but only carpenter ants damage wood like termites. Carpenter ants don't eat the wood, though; instead, they tunnel through wood to create protective galleries for their nests.
- When you see winged ants outside your home, you should understand what those ants are doing. Winged ants are reproductives. Their job is to mate and develop new nests. While only a few will survive to make nests, it doesn't take many of these pests to increase your ant problems.
Ant Problems: Health Concerns And Property Damage
Pharaoh ants can transfer several bacterial illnesses, such as streptococcus, staphylococcus, salmonellosis, and clostridium. These lead to strep throat, staph infections, stomach illness, and botulism. We recommend checking out resources at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding these diseases.
While other ant species aren't as much of a health concern, keeping them out of your house is still wise. Ants crawl in trash receptacles and on top of decaying organic matter. In these places, they pick up germs and spread them.
Keep this in mind when ants crawl on your cutting board or dishes. While the risk of a serious illness is quite low, you can end up with general stomach issues, such as diarrhea and nausea, quite readily.
Along with the general health concerns associated with ant infestations, there is also the property risk. Carpenter ants damage structural wood over time. Ants can chew on wire insulation and cause electrical issues, and they can get into electronic devices and cause them to short out. Ants aren't just nuisance pests.
Hear From Our Happy Customers
At Aerex Pest Control, your satisfaction is our priority! See for yourself what our customers have to say about working with us.
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Very knowledgeable and efficient service. Great on the phone and got someone out right away to spray for mosquitos and ticks. Would recommend to anyone wanting great service; this is the best company used in the Chicagoland area.- TRJ Fitness And Performance
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Aerex Pest Control has always been an excellent resource for our home pest control. They are professional and effective whether dealing with ants, bugs, spiders, or mice. Highly recommend them.- Mac Family
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I always use Aerex when I have a pest control problem. They scheduled an appointment for the next day, identified the issue (I thought it was ants, but I was wrong), and immediately provided the solution. I would recommend Aerex to everyone with a pest issue.- J “Junior” Freedman
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Aerex Pest Control has been our go-to for 25 years. The team is smart, thorough, and very nice. Highly recommend their services!- Barrie Earhart
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Aerex Pest Control provided exceptional service. They were on time, personable, and extremely detail-oriented. Noticed a water tank leak we hadn't seen. Their vigilance and professionalism are greatly appreciated. Highly recommend!- Barb Maloney
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Mark arrived early after calling to let me know we could start earlier if that worked with my schedule, it did. He was friendly and thorough.- Meredith C.
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Mike is very friendly, cooperative. He knows our house well as to where there are concerns for critter control. We are very happy with Aerex.- Judith N.
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Mike showed up on time and was friendly with our crazy dogs and familiar with the house, even though he hasn’t been here in a while. Can’t ask for more for a semi-annual service and serviceman.- Cissy G.
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