Why Professional Ant Control Is The Way To Go For Your Jacksonville Home

Ants can be found nearly everywhere on Earth, and Jacksonville is no exception. These tiny insects thrive in our warm climate, and there are several species that homeowners should be aware of. Whether it's fire ants in your yard, odorous house ants in the kitchen, or pavement ants in your walls, ants are an infuriating problem to have.
 
If you're feeling ant-sy about the ant infestation in your Jacksonville home, you're not the only one – but professional ant control in Jacksonville can help. Here's what local residents should know about the behavior of common ants, what problems ants can cause in your home, why DIY ant control doesn't work, and how pest control in Jacksonville can make all the difference.

Habits And Behaviors Of Common Home-Invading Ants

Ants typically come into your home for a reason – they're looking for food and water. If you've got food or crumbs sitting out, especially sugary sweets, meats, or greasy items, you're even more likely to deal with ants. Homes with moisture issues will also be more vulnerable to an ant problem.
 
Ants are tiny and can be very determined to get inside your home. Unfortunately, most homes have small spaces through which ants can easily enter. Ants may enter through a tiny crack or crevice in your foundation, windows, or doors and create trails that lead to a food source.
 
Some of the signs that indicate an ant infestation in your Jacksonville home include:

• There are ant trails that lead from one spot to another, usually located near kitchens, trash cans, or other parts of the home where the ants are trying to access food.
• With outdoor infestations of pavement ants or fire ants, you may see tiny piles of dirt around their colony or mound. 
• Whenever you try to prepare or eat food, ants seem to swarm your countertops or table, looking for crumbs.
• There are tiny wood shavings around your home, which can come from carpenter ants and their destructive behavior.
• There's an odd odor lingering around your kitchen or other areas of your house where ant activity is high.

These signs are often left by common types of ants that will invade Jacksonville homes and properties, including carpenter ants, pharaoh ants, odorous house ants, and pavement ants. Regardless of the species, you'll want to keep ants out of your Jacksonville home. 

Common Types Of Ants In Jacksonville

At first glance, all ants look pretty much the same. They're small insects and have three body regions, six legs, and antennae. They live in large colonies and are typically seen in groups, often traveling in trails. While all ants have the same basic characteristics, they can look and act very differently depending on the species. The problems they cause also differ. 
 
Some ants are more likely to be found outdoors. Carpenter ants are large, black ants that create nests in wood. They often infest the wood under decks, porches, and roof eaves. Over time, carpenter ants can cause significant damage to the wooden elements of your home. Fire ants are also found outdoors and will build mound nests around your yard. These ants are aggressive and will sting anyone that disturbs their nest. Pavement ants often build nests around sidewalks, driveways, or in masonry walls, but they may also venture indoors and nest under your floors or inside your walls.
 
Ants such as pharaoh ants, Argentine ants, and odorous house ants are some of the species most likely to invade your home. Pharaoh ants are small and pale yellow, and have been known to spread dangerous bacteria. Argentine ants are brown and live in vast colonies; they are often seen traveling in trails of hundreds of ants. Odorous house ants are dark brown or black and produce a foul odor when crushed.
 
Other ants in Jacksonville include acrobat ants, crazy ants, ghost ants, and white-footed ants. No matter the species of ant you are dealing with, ants are at the very least a nuisance and, at worst, can be dangerous or destructive. In the next section, we'll cover all the ways that ants are problematic in and around Jacksonville homes.

The Problems An Ant Infestation Can Create In Your Home

Most ants are considered nuisance pests, meaning that they are annoying but otherwise harmless. However, some species of ants pose threats to your health and property. Ants may be tiny in physical size, but you shouldn't underestimate the big problems they can bring into your Jacksonville home, such as: 

• Ants can contaminate your food: Many ant species, like pavement ants and odorous house ants, are after your food supply. If there are open containers of food or beverages sitting out, ants won't hesitate to contaminate food items. 
• Ants can cause property damage: Carpenter ants can cause property damage, not unlike termites. With enough time, carpenter ants may even cause structural damage to your home. 
• Ants can be a nuisance: Besides contaminating your food and causing property damage, ants are a nuisance. These critters don't mind crawling on your countertops, over tables, or anywhere else in search of food, and their constant presence can be a big nuisance to homeowners. 
• Ants can spread bacteria: Certain types of ants, like the pharaoh ant, are capable of spreading bacteria. 
• Fire ants sting: When fire ants attack, they leave their victims covered in painful stings. For people with a severe allergy to ant venom, this can be a potentially life-threatening situation.

Different ants cause different problems, but none of them are welcome houseguests. It's important to begin ant control as soon as possible, regardless of the species of ant you believe has invaded your home.

Why Do-It-Yourself Ant Control Often Fails

Because ants are typically considered a nuisance pest, many homeowners assume that they can take care of the problem on their own – but DIY ant control is rarely as effective as it promises. 
 
For example, using ant traps may be a temporary fix, but it won't permanently eliminate ants. Ant traps can poison the ants that wander into the trap and take the bait, but they won't do anything to kill the rest of the colony – or prevent other ants from coming inside. 
 
There are also over-the-counter sprays you can use for ant control, but once again, they won't be able to prevent new ants from making their way inside. And, if you have pets or small children, some of these insecticides may be toxic or unsafe in larger amounts. 
 
Home remedies such as using peppermint oil, tea tree oil, pepper, or vinegar are also unlikely to wipe out an entire infestation. When it comes to ants in your home or yard, the best course of action is professional pest control.

Professional Assistance Is Key To Total Ant Control

Most DIY treatments won't stand up to ants as effectively as homeowners need them to, but there is one foolproof way to get rid of ants and turn your Jacksonville home pest-free, and that's by working with Lindsey Pest Services. 
 
Lindsey Pest Services is a locally owned and operated company that has served Jacksonville since 1957. Our expert technicians are prompt, courteous, and efficient, and are regularly trained to ensure that we remain the most knowledgeable pest control service in Jacksonville. Lindsey Pest Services is QualityPro certified, so you know that you are in the best hands when you partner with us.
 
We are the trusted choice for homeowners in Jacksonville with high-quality treatments that will eliminate your ant problem and keep these pests from coming back. If you see ants around your home, the problem is only going to get worse without treatment – call us today at Lindsey Pest Services to learn more about our ant control services or to request your free inspection. 

Prevention Tips To Keep Ants Away

The team at Lindsey Pest Services is your source for effective ant control solutions. However, there are some steps that you can take to make sure that you don't have another ant infestation down the line. Check out these helpful ant prevention tips for Jacksonville homeowners:

• Fill any cracks or spaces on the outside of your home with silicone caulk.
• Repair any damaged window screens.
• Use weatherstripping on doors and windows.
• Be sure to store trash in covered containers and keep them clean.
• Clean up any crumbs or spills immediately.
• Sweep and mop your floors regularly.
• Address moisture issues in and around your home, such as leaks, standing water, and humid rooms.

Taking these steps can help limit the factors that attract ants, but if an infestation does occur, call the Jacksonville ant control experts at Lindsey Pest Services.