Most ant species will build their nests outdoors and only enter the home to look for food. However, there are certain species that are more interested in the home, and which will try to set up inside the walls and wall voids of the building. In this article, we’re going to cover these species and what you can do if they infest the home.
Carpenter ants
Carpenter ants are the ant species that you really have to worry about when it comes to indoor infestations. These large ants will infest the wood of the home, building their colonies inside of it, similar to how drywood and dampwood termites build their own. The good news is that these ants still have to go out of their colony to forage for food, unlike termites, which eat wood, so you have a chance to detect an infestation before it does too much damage. Carpenter ant workers are easy to identify because of their size – they are about half an inch. If you notice large, black ants in or around your home, it’s best to call a pest control pro for a quick inspection.
Other ant species that will nest inside the home
There are many other ant species that will look to set up inside the home for various reasons. Most of these species are harmless, and they will simply scurry around every once in a while looking for food. They will not damage the home or pose a threat to the inhabitants. There is one species however, the pharaoh ant, which is capable of spreading food borne illnesses. These ants are light yellow and small, so if you notice them, you should get in touch with a pest control company to have them removed.
Removing an indoor ant infestation
Indoor ant infestations are usually harder to deal with than outdoor ones, because the nest is usually hidden or inaccessible, so baits will have to be used. Baits are very effective in this situation, but they can take a few weeks to completely destroy an infestation.
When attempting to remove an ant colony that is inside the home, it’s best to work with a pest control specialist who will ensure that the colony is removed completely, and that it will not have a chance to recover. Contact us today for more information on how indoor ant infestations are removed, or if you have an infestation that needs to be cleared out.