Pest Profiles:
Ants

Although they may be small in size, ANTS can pose serious threats by contaminating food and damaging property. Living and working in large colonies, an ant infestation can quickly spread if left unchecked. 

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Being generally small in size, means you may not notice an ant infestation growing - it can rapidly expand without warning.

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Ant colonies can consists of HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS to MILLIONS OF ANTS,  depending on the species. Contact Protek Pest Control today to inspect your ant issue.

 

Did you know? 

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• There are more than 700 species of ANTS found in the United States of America.

• About 25 species are the culprits in home, structure and business infestations.

• Ants typically live in large underground colonies or groups, made up of workers and a queen.

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What are ants after? What do they eat?

Ants will eat practically any kind of food, but are especially attracted to sweets. This makes them a frustrating pest when they get into a home, building or business or when you’re trying to enjoy the outdoors.

 

CAUTION: species like Red Fire Ants can inflict painful stings and send people to the hospital. Others like Argentine Ants and Carpenter Ants can contaminate food and cause significant property damage. PLUS Carpenter Ants can damage structures and foundations of buildings and your home! And others can destroy plants, flowers and crops. 

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If you suspect or discover an ant infestation, contact Protek Pest Control - your licensed pest control professional. Protek Pest Control will

• inspect your home, structure or business,

• identify the invading ant species, and

• recommend a personalized plan for ant control and extermination.

 

WHAT'S MY NEXT STEP?

Damage is preventable. If you suspect ants are in or near your home and invading your space - or other stinging insects, pests or vermin - contact Protek Pest Control today!  We offer Fast and Safe Extermination of pests and we serve all of Western New York and surrounding areas.

 

We are available to respond to all your insect and pest problems.

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FAST FACTS: ANTS

• An ant can lift 20 times its own body weight.

• There are 700 species of ANTS found in the USA.

• ​Ant identification is relatively simple due to their three distinct body regions:

  • head,

  • thorax, and

  • abdomen, as well as

  • antennae.

• Despite similar construction, ants vary in overall appearance. Small or large ants and brown or black ants are common nicknames for different species.

• Ants size range:

  • Argentine Ants size 1/16" to 1/4" ; color Dark brown to black and shiny

  • Carpenter Ants size 5/8" ; Range in color from red to black

  • Odorous House Ants size 1/16" to 1/8" ; color Brown or black

  • Pavement Ants size 1/8" ; color Dark brown to black

  • Red Imported Fire Ants size 1/8" to 3/8" ; color Dark reddish brown

• There are three kinds of ants in a colony: the queen, the female workers, and males.  The queen and the males have wings, while the workers don’t have wings. The queen is the only ant that can lay eggs. The male ant’s job is to mate with future queen ants. They do not live very long afterwards. Once the queen grows to adulthood, she spends the rest of her life laying eggs! Depending on the species, a colony may have one queen or many queens.

• Some queen ants can live for many years and have millions of babies!

• Ants don’t have ears. Ants "hear" by feeling vibrations in the ground through their feet.

• When ants fight, it is usually to the death!

• When foraging, ants leave a pheromone trail so that they know where they’ve been.

 

BAND-AID ONLY: 

HOME REMEDIES

If you have an ant problem at home or your business, there are some home remedies to help. Please note that these WILL NOT eliminate the issue. These will help you a bit but it is only a stop gap - a band-aid for now - before you get Protek Pest Control there to manage the issue.

• Try spraying vinegar in cracks, at baseboards, at entry ways and on counter tops several times a day.

• If ants are coming in doors or are eating pet food, try drawing a line of chalk in front of the door or around the food and water dishes.

• Experts also recommend storing sweets in tightly sealed containers to avoid attracting ants.

Contact Protek Pest Control to professionally service your home, business or other structures for a quick and effective solution to your ant problem. 

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