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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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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We've used Aerex for 20+ years at 2 locations. They are prompt, courteous & effective. Our regular service person, Wally, listens to current problems & applies the correct solutions to the problem. If needed within 30 days, a second visit is schedu- Harry S.
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Great company with professional people - such a pleasure working with! We have been using Aerex Pest Control at our properties for 10+ years and we couldn't be happier with the choice we made. The team from the office is always friendly, ready to help. The- Mi B.
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Jordan our technician was great. He’s very helpful and willing to assist us with dealing with our problem. He explains our issues and helps in determine what needs to be done.- Gary B.
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I have been using Aerex for over 20 years. Every tech that has come to our house has been incredibly knowledgeable, kind and respectful. They get the job done efficiently and always go the extra mile. They are all dog lovers too so that works when my dog g- Sheila B.
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I especially like Tony who has been doing my house for over 10 years. He is very very trustworthy and clean and pleasant. Please let him know what l say here.- Linda T.
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