ant treatments and services

At Patriot Pest Control Pest Control, we are committed to providing top-quality pest control services to both residential and commercial clients. Our team of experienced professionals are equipped to handle all types of pests, including ants, which are one of the top three most common calls for service we receive. 

The tricky thing about ants is that they can vary so greatly, by size, diet, and habitat. For this reason, they can be spread not only throughout the home, but in your outdoor living spaces as well. One thing they have in common is that they are generally all unwanted pests. Determining the type of ants you are dealing with can help gain insight into controlling them. By the year 2000, ants exceeded cockroaches in being the most important and difficult pest to gain control of out of all structural pests. Since there are over 700 species of ants in America, we will focus on just the most common ants we come across and some of the special characteristics of each of these ants.

The most common call we get is for the fire ants, the southern fire ant and red imported fire ant are the two most commonly found fire ants in this area. The red imported ant reportedly caused 6 billion dollars in damages in 2006, according to the USDA. These ants are typically found outside or on the exterior of the home in hollow masonry areas, typically near the kitchen. The red imported fire ant is the one you see in movies, where an area gets flooded and they all band together to make a raft of ants, yes, that really happens! Once an area dries up, they are typically hungry and enraged, targeting victims after heavy rainfalls or flooding. Nearly 1-2% of the entire population is thought to be at risk of anaphylactic shock due to these ant bites. They tend to hide in electric areas when they do make their way inside, and are only inside to find something to fit their high carbohydrate diets. They can gnaw on wires, remove insulation, and cause other structural challenges once inside the home. 

Crazy ants are common not only in our area, but widespread throughout the United States. They are named after their tenancy to run erratically in a jerky manner when searching for food. These ants tend to be in smaller colonies, but are able to survive in dry or moist conditions. They can be found underneath carpets and floors, under potted plants, and in wall voids. These ants prefer sweets, but will feed on almost any foods that most humans will eat. 

We also commonly come across acrobat ants, small light brown to black ants with a stinger. Workers emit a pungent odor when alarmed. These ants tend to nest in similar areas as carpenter ants, in high moisture areas, with a preference of wooden areas. They can be found under rocks, logs and wooden panels. Acrobat ants feed on aphids and honeydew. They are one of the most aggressive ants and are quick to attack as wel as emit the previously mentioned pungent odor.

Field ants make up about one sixth of the total population of ants! They can be found nearly anywhere in the United States, mounding in grass and yards everywhere along the way. They are yellow to reddish in color, and while they do not have a stinger, they will bite if provoked. Although these ants are commonly found outdoors, they can be found in masonry voids and along concrete walls and side walks.

In any case, ants are a nuisance, and they require the correct IPM (Integrated Pest Management) strategies to gain full control. Patriot Pest Control utilizes several different methods and treatment options, depending on which type of ants you are dealing with and which treatment plan best fits your current pest needs. Give us a call today and let us help you solve your ant issue!