Serving Memphis, Cordova, Germantown & Collierville TN
Ants are amazing, tiny creatures. They work endlessly to build their home, find food and water for their family, and provide security for their queen. New buildings, old buildings, and those in between can all have ants searching for resources…. Searching places like your home or business. Ants are one of the most common types of household pest in the Memphis area, so it’s important you be familiar with them: the different species, the risks associated with each and how to prevent infestations. It’s a good thing, then, that your Memphis pest experts at AAA Termite & Pest compiled this guide of need-to-know information about ants.
How do ants infiltrate a building?
Most ants are tiny. Even the smallest cracks can provide points of entry. These cracks could form in a host of locations: in foundations or walls, around doors and windows and inside ductwork or pipes. Each colony of ants sends out scouts. Once food or water is found, a scout releases pheromones to leave a scent alerting themselves, and their fellow colony members, where to go for the supplies. This is how one ant spotted on your counter can become hundreds in just a few hours.
There are three types of ants common to Memphis
- Carpenter Ants: These vary in color and size, but many carpenter ants are black in color and tend to be one of the larger ant species. If you see them in your home, be concerned. Similar to termites, carpenter ants also feed on decaying wood.
- Crazy Ants: They won’t stay in a line; they zig and zag, with no sense of direction. Wait, are crazy ants in kindergarten? Initially found in 2002 in Houston, these wily creatures have spread out through the Gulf Coast region and beyond. They love to eat protein: animal matter, insects, and even grease, but will consume sweets, preferring honey and fruits. They live indoors and out, and they’re not picky about whether it’s dry or moist. They can bite, but it is usually harmless.
- Fire Ants: The scariest ant of them all! The fire ant, or red ant, possesses a painful bite and sting that can leave you in a weeping puddle, or on the way to the emergency room. Common in the Southern U.S., a fire ant colony is usually found in a small mound of dirt in the ground. If the hill is disturbed, the culprit will see hundreds of the fiery creatures coming to the defense of their home. If you are bitten by a fire ant, it will attach to you with its jaws, then swing its body to sting you with its back stinger. One ant can sting multiple times, causing irritation at the sight and, in some cases, anaphylactic shock.
Pest Control for ants in Memphis and Cordova, Tennessee
Many homeowners and business owners have a do-it-yourself mentality, but when it comes to pest control needs, hiring a professional pest control company is the best choice you can make. Our team of highly-trained, experienced technicians have experience dealing with all the pests common to the Memphis area, including the three types of ants listed in this article. Whether you’re dealing with a current infestation of ants or you want to set up regular pest control services as part of a program of prevention, we’re here to help. To find out more about our services, schedule a consultation today by contacting us online or calling (901) 737-7378.