Not all ants are harmless. Some can do serious damage and others can spread harmful diseases. Pharaoh ants, which are common invaders of local homes, fall into the second category. It’s believed that they get their name from the plagues that were brought down on the pharaohs of Egypt, so their infestations should be treated with potential pandemic seriousness. Learning how to keep them out will save you from the larger issues that pharaoh ants can cause.
What Are Pharaoh Ants?
Pharaoh ants are a type of ant that originated in Africa and was carried to the Americas through global shipping routes over the past two centuries. Pharaoh ants enter homes for many of the same reasons as other ants do, in search of food and shelter. But they don’t always behave or look the same as other common ant species. For one, they are known to spread dangerous diseases, like salmonella and staph infections. That’s why it’s important to be able to tell them apart. So, here are some key features:
- Color: Pharaoh ants are typically yellow or tan in color, with sometimes darker heads or legs.
- Size: Pharaoh ants are typically only a couple of millimeters in total length, just like other common ant species.
- Body segments: The other obvious trait that differs between pharaoh ants and others is their double-noded body segment that separates their abdomen (rear) from their thorax (middle).
What Attracts Them To Your Home
More important than the traits that separate pharaoh ants from others are the factors that attract them to properties in the first place. Here are some common things that bring ants from far and wide:
- Food: Ants are scavengers, attracted to food traces through the chemical receptors in their antennae. They particularly like sugary aromas.
- Trash: Food waste is the same as food to a hungry pest, so accessible trash bins both inside and outdoors can be an attractant.
- Moisture: Pests need water just like all other creatures, so it’s also important to address leaks and moisture buildup.
Ant Prevention Tips & Tricks
While it’s important to limit the factors that attract pests, it’s also important to address the ways they can enter your home in the first place. During cold or inclement weather, pests will seek shelter indoors even if food isn’t readily available. Here are ways to fortify your home:
- Crack sealing: Ants can squeeze through impossibly small holes and cracks to gain entry, so you need to regularly check your exterior for faults and repair them quickly.
- Moisture control: Not only does moisture attract pests, but it can also create access points for them and lead to structural issues. Proper pipe maintenance and leak repairs are key.
- Professional treatments: The only guarantees when it comes to pest prevention are found through professional treatments administered by trained technicians.
Turn To White Knight Pest Control
Because most homeowners aren’t trained in how to tell certain ants apart, the smartest thing to do is to contact the experts for assistance. At White Knight Pest Control, we can help you address all the factors that might attract pharaoh ants to your home. Contact us today to schedule an inspection of your property, so we can identify problem areas and tailor prevention to your situation. If pharaoh ants, or any other invasive pests, are already a problem, contact the experts before they expose you to potentially dangerous diseases. Don’t try to get rid of existing pests on your own, exposing yourself to dangers and wasting money on solutions that likely won’t work.
The best way to protect your Denver home from pharaoh ants is with help from White Knight Pest Control, so call or click today.