Ants
We Exterminate Ants Quickly!
Best Practices in Ant Control
Effective ant control involves a combination of proper identification, prevention, and extermination methods. It starts with understanding the specific type of ant causing the problem, as different species require different strategies. Here are some key practices:
- Identification: Determine the type of ants invading your space. This is crucial as different ants have varied nesting habits and food preferences.
- Sanitation: Keep your area clean. Ants are attracted to food residues and moisture.
- Sealing Entry Points: Block common entry points such as cracks and crevices in walls, windows, and doors.
- Baiting: Use ant baits, which are more effective than sprays as they can eliminate the colony.
- Regular Inspection: Regularly check for signs of ant activity to act swiftly.
Interesting Facts About Ants
- The queen ant lays the eggs, and then the worker ants take over, caring for the eggs until the babies emerge
- An ant is capable of lifting up to 20 times its body weight.
- Ants have one of the largest brains of all insects. In fact, an ant has an average of 250,000 brain cells.
Don’t let household ants take over your home. Call Beeline Pest Control today and we will help exterminate those irritating insects with our quick and safe methods.
How Do Ants Enter A Building?
The Feeding Habits Of Ants
Ant Colonies
What is the best pest control for ants?
The best pest control method for ants depends on the ant species and the severity of the infestation. Generally, a combination of baits and non-repellent insecticides is effective. Baits work by attracting ants, which then carry the toxic substance back to their nest, effectively eliminating the colony. Non-repellent insecticides are useful as ants cannot detect them and thus, don’t avoid treated areas. For severe infestations, professional pest control services are recommended for a thorough and lasting solution. If you have recently gotten a wasp removal treatment, then it is necessary that you get rid of ants as soon as possible as well.
What do pest control people spray for ants?
Professional pest controllers often use specific insecticides that are not readily available to the public. These can include:
- Non-repellent Insecticides: These are undetectable by ants, ensuring they walk over them and carry the poison back to the nest.
- Repellent Insecticides: Used to create barriers and prevent ants from entering a building.
- Baits: Often used in conjunction with sprays for a more comprehensive approach.
Professionals may also use a combination of methods tailored to the specific ant species and infestation level:
- Perimeter Treatment: Creating a barrier around the property.
- Direct Nest Application: Targeting the colony directly if it’s accessible.
- Indoor Treatment: Applied in areas where ants are seen frequently.
Professional Ant Control Services
Professional ant control services offer effective and customized solutions to eradicate ants from homes. Experts in pest control have access to powerful tools and products that are more efficient than over-the-counter options.
How do professionals get rid of ants in the house?
Professionals utilize a multi-faceted approach:
- Inspection: Identifying the type of ant and locating the nest.
- Customized Treatment: Using specific insecticides or baits based on the ant species.
- Follow-up: Ensuring the problem is completely resolved and providing advice for prevention.
We also offer professional cockroach removal services in Texas.
Ant Prevention and Deterrents 
Preventing ants from invading your property involves several strategies, focusing on making your space less attractive to them.
How do I keep ants off my outdoor areas?
- Remove food sources: Keep outdoor eating areas clean.
- Seal entry points: Close gaps where ants can enter.
- Use natural deterrents: Citrus peels, cinnamon, or peppermint oil.
How often should I spray vinegar for ants?
Vinegar, a natural ant deterrent, can be sprayed every few days or as needed. It disrupts their scent trails but may require frequent application for sustained effectiveness.
What Smell Do Ants Hate?
Ants rely heavily on their sense of smell to navigate and communicate. They particularly dislike strong scents which interfere with their ability to follow scent trails. Some of the most effective scents that repel ants include:
- Peppermint: Its strong aroma is overwhelming to ants.
- Vinegar: The sharp smell disrupts ants’ scent trails.
- Lemon: Citrus scents are unpleasant to ants.
- Cinnamon: Its intense smell is known to repel ants effectively.
Using these scents around entry points and in areas where ants frequent can help keep them at bay.
What Ant Bait Kills the Queen?
To effectively eliminate an ant colony, it’s crucial to target the queen, as she is responsible for reproducing more ants. The most effective ant baits contain slow-acting insecticides which worker ants carry back to the nest. The queen, consuming this poisoned bait, eventually dies, leading to the collapse of the colony. Some of the most widely used active ingredients in these baits include:
- Borax (Boric Acid): Commonly found in liquid and gel baits.
- Fipronil: Often used in gel form.
- Hydramethylnon: Found in various bait formulations.
It’s important to be patient, as it can take several days to a few weeks for the bait to fully work through the colony. On the contrary, termites need a different procedure altogether. Hence, if you also want termite control services, get in touch.
Does Cinnamon Get Rid of Ants?
Cinnamon is more of a repellent than an exterminator. Ants dislike its strong smell, and it disrupts their scent trails, deterring them from entering areas sprinkled with cinnamon. However, while cinnamon can be effective in keeping ants away, it does not kill them or address the root cause of an infestation. For a more comprehensive solution, a combination of repellents and baits is recommended.
What Does it Mean to Have Black Ants in Your House?
Finding black ants in your house can be indicative of a few things:
- Food Sources: Black ants are often drawn inside by accessible food, especially sweet or greasy substances.
- Moisture: They also seek out moist areas, so their presence could point to water leaks or dampness problems.
- Nesting Sites: Sometimes, black ants establish nests inside homes, particularly in voids or under floors.
Identifying and addressing these attractants is key in managing a black ant infestation. Professional pest control can help identify the species and provide targeted treatment. Black ants also remind us of black spider removal for which we have the experience and skill.
Questions that People Most Frequently Ask Us
Take a look at some of the typical questions that pop up in the minds of our clients
How do ants find food?
Ants use their sense of smell to find food. They are attracted to sweet smells and will follow a scent trail back to the source. Once they find food, they will leave a scent trail for other ants to follow. This is how an ant colony can quickly become an infestation.
What kind of ants are in Texas?
Texas is home to a variety of ants, including the following: carpenter ants, fire ants and sugar ants.
What attracts ants to my home or business?
Ants are attracted to a variety of things, including: food that is left out or not stored properly, sweet smells and warmth.
What do ants eat?
Most ants eat plants or other insects, but some species of ants are known to eat sweets. Sugar ants are one of the most common types of ants that invade homes in search of food. They are attracted to sugary foods and can be a nuisance if they get into your pantry or cupboards.
Can ants kill you?
While ants are not poisonous, some species can bite or sting. These bites and stings can cause irritation and swelling. In rare cases, an allergic reaction to an ant bite or sting can be life-threatening.
Can ants fly?
Some species of ants can fly, but most cannot. Carpenter ants are one type of ant that can fly, which is how they are able to travel long distances to infest new homes.
How can I stop ants from coming in my business or home?
There are a few things you can do to prevent an ant infestation in your home or business, including: Keeping your home or business clean, keeping food sealed and stored properly and calling a pest control professional if you have an infestation.
Where do ants build their homes?
Most ants build their nests in the ground, but some species will build their nests in trees, under rocks, or even in your home! Carpenter ants are one of the most common types of ants that infest homes. They tunnel through wood to create their nests and can cause significant damage to your home if left untreated.
How strong are ants?
While ants are very small, they are actually quite strong! Some species of ants can lift objects that are up to 20 times their own body weight. That’s the equivalent of a human lifting a car!
Are ants good for my garden?
Most ants are beneficial to gardens as they help aerate the soil and distribute food. Some species of ants will even protect your plants from other pests! However, carpenter ants can be destructive to gardens as they tunnel through woody stems and roots.