Texas is a state known for its hot, humid climate—which is great for the wildlife but not so great for homeowners. One of the more pesky and dangerous creatures to look out for in Texas are ants. In this blog, we will go through three tips you can use to keep ants out of your home and discuss the most dangerous ant species that live in the Lone Star State. Here at iPest Solutions, we are here to help with all things ant-related, so please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
Tip #1: Clean Up Crumbs and Spills Immediately
Ants love sweet things, which is why it’s important to clean up any crumbs or spills immediately after they occur. Doing so will make it less likely that the ants will be attracted to your home and make their way inside. It’s also important to store food items in airtight containers and wipe down counters regularly—especially around areas where food has been stored or prepared.
Tip #2: Caulk Any Cracks or Crevices Around Your Home
Cracks or crevices around windows, doors, walls, foundations, etc., can create pathways that ants can take into your home. To block off these pathways and keep ants out of your house, caulk any cracks or crevices you may find around your home—especially those located on the lower levels of your house since this is where most ants will enter from.
Tip #3: Call a Professional Exterminator If All Else Fails
Sometimes no matter how much effort you put into keeping them away, ants just won’t stay away from your home. In cases like this, it’s best to call a professional exterminator who will know exactly what kind of ant infestation you have and what kind of treatment plan you need in order to get rid of them permanently.
Dangerous Ant Species in Texas
Texas has a variety of ant species but some of the more dangerous ones include fire ants (Solenopsis invicta), carpenter ants (Camponotus pennsylvanicus), acrobat ants (Crematogaster spp.), Pharaoh ants (Monomorium pharaonis), big-headed ants (Pheidole megacephala) and crazy rasberry ants (Brachymyrmex patagonicus). Each one possesses different characteristics but all should be taken seriously as they can cause considerable damage when they come into contact with humans. For example, fire ants are known for their aggressive behavior while carpenter ant tend to nest within wood structures causing considerable damage over time if left untreated. Acrobat Ants are known for their ability to move quickly between surfaces while Pharaoh Ants tend to nest indoors near sources of moisture such as kitchens and bathrooms. Big-headed Ants are relatively large compared to other species while Crazy Rasberry Ants tend to establish very large colonies which can be difficult to eradicate without professional assistance.
No matter where you live in Texas, it’s important that you understand the dangers posed by certain ant species so that you can take steps ahead of time to protect yourself from an infestation. With that said, let us provide some final words of advice — if you ever find yourself faced with an ant infestation problem at home then don’t hesitate to call a professional exterminator who will know exactly what kind of treatment plan is necessary in order rid your home of these critters once and for all! Here at iPest Solutions we are here help with all things related to pest control — so please don’t hesitate contact us directly if there’s anything else we can do!
