If an ice cream truck in your neighborhood was giving away free ice cream cones, would you track it down for your free tasty treat? Even if you don’t like ice cream, you understand that free food of any kind is special. This is exactly how ants feel, except they think all food is free. If you regularly find these invasive insects crawling around inside your Las Vegas home, know that they are there for a reason. To help you find freedom from these pests, here is how ant problems start and some strategies you can use to stop them.
Why Ants Invade Homes
There are several species of ants that live around Las Vegas. The majority hang around inside homes because they have found food and water. It is common to find ant scouts inspecting your living areas before serious infestations begin. These scouts leave behind pheromone trails designed to guide workers to and from sources of food they find.
Another reason ants invade homes is to build their nests. Some species will only do this during times of inclement weather when exterior conditions are not optimal for their survival. Carpenter ants in particular build their nests into the structural wood of homes and do so at any time of the year.
The Dangers Ants Pose
Ants, unlike wasps and bees, do not seem dangerous at first glance. The truth is, most ants pose no risk to human health whatsoever. It is only a select few species that threaten local homeowners. The two you should know about are fire ants and Pharaoh ants. A fire ant bites and stings when threatened and has a venom that causes a stinging, burning sensation on human skin. Pharaoh ants, on the other hand, threaten homeowners with the bacteria they pick up and carry on their bodies. Two diseases these pests can spread throughout homes are salmonellosis and staphylococcus.
Are Ants Destructive?
There is only one species of ant here in Las Vegas that causes damage around homes. Carpenter ants are invasive insects that build nests into structures of water-damaged, rotting, or decaying wood. If your home has sections of its structure that are affected in these ways, these pests may tunnel their way inside, causing extensive damage in the process, damage that will cost you a pretty penny to fix when eventually found.
Prevention Tips For Ants
Two things are required to effectively prevent ants. The first requires you to limit their access to food, the second involves sealing your home’s exterior so that these pests cannot find their way indoors. Here are some practical ways to do these things around your Las Vegas home.
- Address damage to your home’s weatherstripping, door sweeps, and window/door screens.
- Identify cracks and gaps in your home’s foundation and seal them using a caulking gun.
- Keep your grass and landscaping well maintained.
- Repair or replace structural wood around your home that is negatively affected by water damage, rot, or decay.
- Use a dehumidifier around humid areas of your home.
- Fix leaky piping, fixtures, and make sure your gutters are working properly.
- Keep your living areas tidy and as clean as possible.
Is It The Right Choice To Call A Professional About Ants?
Preventing ants requires effort and a firm understanding of pest control. In order to effectively eliminate and prevent these pests in and around your Las Vegas home, trust the experts at Anver Pest Control. We will provide the experience, services, and advanced pest control products needed to get and keep ants out. All you have to do is enjoy the benefits.
Reach out to us today if you have any questions or to schedule your property for a service visit.