Ant Control



    Inspection and Identification are important in any Integrated Ant Management Treatment Program. Integrated because sanitation, exclusion, mechanical, and chemical methods maybe needed or used depending on the circumstances.

   The most important thing above all else, is locating the colony or colonies nest. Some ants colony have a single queen while others may have several queens. Without destroying the nest, queens will easily replace members you kill on foraging trails. Also, after several ants has pass through a chemical barrier, an open is created allowing passage free of insecticide. Homeowners often complaint that store bought products don't work not realizing this

   Some ants will make their nest inside structures, but most nest outside under ground. Carpenter ants make their nest trees and soft woods. Carpenter ants damage wood structures, but they don't actually eat wood as does termites.

   You can expect an initial clean-out cost plus at least one follow-up treatment cost, overall cost will be based on type ant and size of infestation.

Ant Biology and Habits:

   Ant are social insects belonging to the Order/Family Hymenoptrea/ Formicidae. They live in colonies consisting of hundreds, thousands and millions of individuals. There are 11,000 plus known species. They have two basic type of individuals, reproductives and workers. The reproductives are male and females of which one female becomes a queen. The queen lay eggs continuously expanding the colony. Some colony have more than one queen. Ants develop by complete metamorphosis. Their life cycle include egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Ant size varies depending on the species from 1/16 to 1/2 inch.

   Ants normally live outdoors, but they often invade homes and business looking for food. Some ants will make their nest inside walls, cardboard boxes, stacks of newspapers or magazines. In the home you will find them on kitchen counter-tops, in cabinets and along baseboards. If food are kept in bedroom nightstands or dressers, you'll find ants there also. The dining room table and living room end tables often attracts ants. What's common to these areas are spills from food and drinks. Most of the time when you wipe up spills, residues are left in cracks & cervices. So, it's a good idea to use soap and water to thoroughly clean these areas. Another problem area is the mail box. Letters

and packages have glue on them that attract ants. Also, flowers and plants next to mailbox offers food, water and shelter.