Got Ants? We've Got Solutions!

Have you been noticing a few little unwanted visitors in your Montgomery County home this summer? This is the time when ants are foraging through homes in search of food. They will start to show up in your kitchen, bathrooms and other areas of the home they can find access to. These are great places for them to find food and water to bring back to the colony. Colonies of ants can get up to several thousands. So when you’re seeing just a few ants in your kitchen, it’s likely that there’s a much larger population nearby.

The most common types of ants you will find in your home are pavement ants, odorous house ants, little black ants and carpenter ants. Though these ants have some different behaviors, they are usually after the same thing- left behind food debris. Most ants are simply a nuisance and pose no serious threats. There are a few species however that are of more concern. Carpenter ants carve through wood to create their nests and fire ants pack a painful sting. No matter what type of ant you are seeing, it’s a good idea to contact your local pest control pros to identify the type of ant problem and quickly get rid of the infestation. There are a few things you can do to help stop ants before they infest your home, too.

• Eliminate moisture: Ants will find this to be a great resource in your home. Make sure drainage pipes and gutters are working properly. Seal any leaks around hoses and air conditioners.

• Keep plants trimmed: Keeping shrubs and trees trimmed will help eliminate bridges for ants to use to get to your home.

• Clean kitchen: Keep any crumbs and spills cleaned so ants will not forage for food in your kitchen.

• Seal food tight: Keep food sealed in airtight containers to keep ants out.

If you find you already have an ant infestation there are many DIY ant control traps and sprays you can buy to try and eliminate the problem. While these may seem like an easy fix, these sprays and traps can be harmful to humans and pets if not used properly. They may also only eliminate part of the problem (the ants you see) and then you find yourself with hundreds more the next week. The best way to eliminate an ant problem is to call a professional pest exterminator. They will be able to identify the ants, set up an elimination plan to get rid of the entire colony and make sure that there are no problems later on.

For pest control in Gaithersburg, Germantown and elsewhere in Montgomery County and Maryland, contact American Pest today. We're ready to help you get rid of ants!