Quarterly Pest Control Ants In Springfield MO

March 22, 2019

Pest control ants are on a lot of people’s minds now that Spring has arrived. House ants are a nuisance but are relatively easy to get rid of in most circumstances. Ants are social insects that live in colonies. The best pest control ants treatment plan is to kill the entire colony. Spraying with repellents will only kill a few and can be toxic to humans and pets.

Species of Ants in the Midwest

Fire Ants

Pharaoh Ants

Sugar Ants

Crazy Ants

Odorous House Ants

Carpenter Ants

Odorous House Ants

One of the most common is the Odorous House Ant (Tapinoma Sessile), commonly called a sweet ant. It got its name because of the strong, rotten coconut-like smell it emits when crushed. The odor is from pheromones they release as a defense mechanism to alert other ants of a disturbance.

This species of ant is native to North America and it appears to be drawn to the relatively mild climate of the Midwest, in particular. Researchers say Odorous House Ants are becoming the Midwest’s most prolific in urban and suburban areas. House ants are attracted to moisture so you should get rid of any standing water near your home. Keep tree branches and other plants cut back from the house. Sometimes pests use these branches to get into your home. Make sure that there are no cracks or small openings around the foundation of your home. If you have a woodpile, move it far away from buildings.

According to an urban entomologist at Purdue University, the season for them seems to last longer and they are a problem well into the winter months. Typically, odorous house ants prefer the outdoors, coming inside during certain weather conditions, such as following heavy rain or during the excessive heat of the summer months. They enter homes looking for a cool, dry place to nest and forage for food and water. While the ants do not pose a health threat, they can contaminate food that is left out. They are especially drawn to sweet fruits and melons.

What They Look Like

Odorous house ants are tiny in size, from 1/16th of an inch to 1/8th of an inch long. This smelly insect is brown or black in color, has 6 legs and the body is a segmented oval shape. They can live for several years, nesting in colonies underground, in exposed soil and cracks in walls. Nests are connected by trails between colonies.

While pest control ants may be somewhat more difficult than other insects to eliminate, there are products formulated for use by professional exterminators that are very effective. Trying to get rid of these pests yourself is going to be a waste of money and effort. There is no magic recipe that kills them. You might manage to get a few but they can number in the millions. The best option is to secure the services of professionals who have the expertise and products needed for pest control ants.

We are often asked how rain affects the pest control ants service they receive. Expert Pest Solutions uses commercial grade products that are made to withstand wet weather and is still as effective as in drier conditions. If you have been seeing odorous house ants, call us to schedule an inspection and discuss your options for treatment.

Prevention

Preventing pests from entering your home is better than needing pest control once they become a problem. We offer a quarterly service plan to residents of Springfield, Branson, Ozark, and all surrounding towns. Routine pest control takes care of all pests – mice, roaches, spider, ants and more. To discuss our quarterly pest control service.

Expert Pest Solutions wants to provide a long-term solution for pest control ants. That’s what pest management means. There is no magic wand that we can wave to get rid of your pests once and for all. It requires proactive monitoring and preventative treatments. This is true for ants and dozens of other common household pests.