How Do I Get Rid Of An Ant Infestation In My Cincinnati Home?
Ants are some of the most invasive creatures you will ever have to deal with in your lifetime. Their small size and cunning behavior allow them to infest and take over your home without your even being aware. These small insects are more than just an inconvenience to have around. They are capable of contaminating your food and making you and your family sick.
If you haven't had any luck when it comes to eliminating the ants in your home, 1 Stop Pest Control is here to help. We have been providingpest control in Cincinnatifor over a decade, and we understand what attracts the common ants in this area to your home. Keep reading to learn why you have ants in your home in the first place and how to get them out quickly.
How Can I Tell if I Have an Ant Infestation?
Seeing a large number of ants marching through your home is the best way to determine if you have an ant infestation. Many times, ants will live in large colonies behind your walls, above your ceilings, and other hard-to-access places. Every so often, a scout ant will come out in the open and look for a viable food and water source. Once the ant finds a reasonable amount of food, it will emit a trail of pheromones that will alert the other worker ants and point them in the direction of the food. Soon, hundreds of workers will come out of their hiding spots, marching in a single-file line until they reach the food source. Once they reach the food, they will grab a portion of it and take it back to the nest to feed the baby ants and other ant colony members.
Not all types of ants will walk in a straight line, however. Certain species will walk their own path to the food source. But once they find the food, you can usually see a crowd of ants gathering around.
Is It Dangerous To Have Ants In My House?
Ants are possibly one of the most underestimated insects on the planet. Because they are so small, many people mistakenly think they are harmless. But these little scavengers can carry around a wide range of bacteria, viruses, and other harmful pathogens in their body. If they crawl around the food you are eating, they could contaminate your food and make you sick. Some of the harmful viruses and diseases that ants are known to spread to humans include:
- Salmonellosis
- Botulism
- E. coli infection
- Shigellosis
- Streptococcus
- Staph infection
If you see ants climbing on top of your food, you should discard the food immediately. While there is a chance that you may not get sick from the ants, there is also a real possibility that you could develop some form of food poisoning.
Why Are Ants Taking Over My Home?
Ants are attracted to almost any type of food. They will eat sugary sweet foods, savory foods, meats, dead carcasses, rotten fruits, and other foods. Few things are off-limits to an ant. If you have open food containers, trash cans that are heaping full, or any other food particles around your home that an ant might want to snack on, they will do whatever they can to come into your home.
How Do I Get Rid Of An Ant Infestation?
Ants are some of the most difficult pests to eradicate. At 1 Stop Pest Control, we know every step you must take to eradicate all ants from your Cincinnati home for good. Contact us today to get a free quote!