How To Tell If Your Florida Residence Is At Risk For Ants This Spring
3/12/2019
In Florida, the mild temperatures can allow ants to remain active year-round. As spring approaches, however, their activity will increase. And the warmer it gets, the more active they will become. Unfortunately, there are many species of ants that invade Florida homes.
Here are the ones we commonly see:
- Caribbean crazy ants.
- Red-imported fire ants.
- Ghost ants.
- Thief ants.
- Pharaoh ants.
- Bigheaded ants.
- White-footed ants.
- Argentine ants.
- Carpenter ants.
The problems ants cause range from spreading diseases to structural damage to eating your stored food. No matter which type of ant you're dealing with, populations inside your home can reach an alarming number quickly. The question is, how can you tell if your Florida residence is at risk for ants this spring? To know this, you must know what attracts them.
Ants will generally stick around if a food source is nearby. They’re great at building their nests where the temperatures are ideal, and they can even get most of the water they need from their food. Sometimes, homeowners make mistakes, unaware that they are attracting these nuisance pests.
Try these helpful tips to avoid attracting ants to your home:
- Keep food in airtight containers.
- Clean up crumbs or spills immediately.
- Frequently check the fruit in your fruit bowl to get rid of overripe fruit.
- Empty your trash regularly.
Why Ants Are Attracted to Your Home and Property
Food isn't the only risk-factor for ants. Moisture is also an attraction, and reducing the humidity in your home can help.
Try the following steps:
- Use dehumidifiers.
- Repair leaks and condensation around your home. Carpenter ants especially love moisture. You can learn more about how carpenter ants damage homes in our previous blog.
- Inspect the exterior of your home to earn how ants are getting inside. Perhaps there is a ripped screen or a crack in your foundation where they are gaining entry. Some ants follow pipelines into a home. Check for any gaps around the exterior of your home as ants can find a way to enter in this manner, as well.
Protect Your Home with Professional Help
Protecting your home from ants on your own can be a difficult task. Keller’s Pest Control can aid you in fighting off ant infestations and preventing future ones. Our licensed pest control technician will first inspect the interior and exterior of your home to identify pests and their entry-points. They will then provide ongoing service to maintain a pest-free home.
Schedule your free estimate or learn more about our residential plans by contacting giving us a call. We’ve been trusted by homeowners in our servicing area to meet their pest control needs for over 20 years. Reach out to us!
