The Trick To Getting Rid Of Ants On Your Naples Property

9/5/2021

Ants are one of those pests that are a problem just about everywhere you go, but here in South West Florida, they don’t have many barriers to population growth that they might experience in other areas. For instance, they don’t endure frigid winters that force them underground for months at a time. They also don’t usually deal with droughts that cause population-limiting food and moisture shortages.

That means ants can remain active and reproductive all year long without having to worry about lack of food or cold. That’s bad news for Florida homeowners who want to keep their homes ant-free. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to fight back. 

fire ants crawling on the ground

Common Area Ants

Most of the ants in our area are little more than nuisances. They look ugly crawling across your countertop, but they don’t hurt anything. However, a few Florida ants pose more of a threat to health or property.

  • Carpenter Ants: These large black ants tunnel through the wood just like termites. Also, like termites, carpenter ants pose a considerable threat to property. They can do much damage to your home’s wood frame and can render it structurally unsound.

  • Fire Ants: These red-and-brown ants may not look like much – but disturb one of their mounds, and they’ll come pouring out by the thousands to inflict as many stings as they can to drive away from the threat. Fire ants can sting you hundreds of times. 

  • Pharaoh Ants: Pharaoh ants are yellowish-brown. While they don’t sting or chew wood, they pose another threat because of the diseases they spread. These ants can contaminate your environment with pathogens such as salmonella, staph, and strep. 

Ant Attractants To Your Property

Whether they’re a nuisance or an actual threat, you don’t want to share your home with any ant variety. The problem is that ants are just dying to get into your home. There are just too many goodies inside it for them to not want in – from food to shelter to moisture and more. Those are the three main attractants to your property: moisture, shelter, and food.

Here in Florida, ants can get moisture pretty much wherever they want it, but they might feel the need to come around your home for water if our area goes a while without rain. The shelter is another big reason ants might seek out your home. Your house is safe from most floods and has fewer predators, so it makes for just as good a home for ants as it does for you. Finally, your house has lots of the things ants love to eat. From the protein in your dog’s food bowl to the sugar in your cookie jar – your house is the most accessible source of food around.

What To Do About Ants

The best way to keep ants away from your house is to eliminate attractants. Ants are so tiny that if they want in, they’ll get in. Regardless, you should always make it as tough for them as possible by sealing up cracks and holes in your home’s exterior. However, you’ll get a lot farther in your ant prevention efforts if you do things like:

  • Cover all indoor and outdoor trash with tight lids.

  • Never leave pet foods or food bowls sitting out.

  • Always clean up immediately after meals. 

  • Store all pantry foods in airtight containers. 

If even the strictest measures don’t seem to be keeping ants out, you may need professional help. Here at Keller’s Pest Control, we take a multi-step approach to ant control. We’ll inspect your home to figure out problem areas and tailor a plan to not only eliminate your current infestation but help you avoid future ones. So give our Naples pest exterminators a call or visit our contact page to get started. 

Tags: naples home pest control | ants in naples | ant attractants |

 

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