The summer months are great for spending time outdoors. Picnicking and other activities can be really fun. But one thing that can be a problem is ants. These nuisance insects can get inside your home and sabotage a meal. They search for food sources in your kitchen and pantry areas and will feed on them. They’ll find water sources as well, and in some cases will even set up shop and create colonies inside your home. Contacting a Tulsa Pest Control company can help get rid of these insects. In the meantime, let’s take a look at ants and how they work.
Ants come in many different species. One of the more commonly seen household pests is the odorous house ant. Many ant species we find are outdoor ants that make their way inside looking for food. Odorous house ants can also establish colonies in and around structures. They may use holes, gaps, wall voids, or other protected spaces as nesting sites. They get their name from the unique odor released when they are crushed, which many people describe as a rotten-coconut smell. Oklahoma State University Extension provides guidance on household ants, sanitation, exclusion, and control.
Odorous house ants can form new colonies through a process called budding, especially when a colony is disturbed or fragmented. Because of this, simply spraying the ants you see with the wrong product may not solve the underlying colony problem and can complicate control in some situations. That’s why identifying the species and choosing the proper treatment is important, and why a Tulsa Pest Control company can help.
Another group we find in Oklahoma is fire ants. Oklahoma has the native Southern fire ant as well as the invasive red imported fire ant. These are small reddish ants, and fire ants are known for painful stings. If a mound is disturbed, workers can rapidly swarm up shoes and legs and sting exposed skin. The invasive red imported fire ant can also harm native species and wildlife. USDA APHIS explains the risks, identification, spread, and regulation of imported fire ants.
It’s important to address these insects when they become a problem. Your Tulsa Pest Control company can help identify the ant and determine an appropriate way to eliminate the infestation from your home or yard.
If you think you’re having a problem with ants or any other pest, a Tulsa Pest Control company can help get it taken care of. TermMax Pest Control can deal with ant problems quickly and efficiently. Call us as soon as you find you have a problem.
