Ant Identification Guide

Ants are more than those pesky pests that are known to ruin picnics. Ants are social insects that invade properties in large numbers and are some of the most problematic and difficult-to-control pests living around our Rhode Island properties. There are millions of ants living in our area, and it is only a matter of time before some of those ants discover that your yard or home has the food and shelter they are looking for.

Below is a list of our area's most common ants:

• Carpenter ants
• Odorous house ants
• Pavement ants
• Pharaoh ants
• Thief ants

Most of the ants found nesting in our yards are harmless and only occupied with the food and water sources they find in and around your yard. However, ants don't always stay outside and away from our homes. They are always out and about searching for food, and often that search leads them into our homes.

When ants are in our homes, they are mainly considered nuisance pests. However, some ants are more than just an annoyance and are considered dangerous to either people or our properties.

Pharaoh ants are dangerous because they spread salmonella and streptococcus. They are a huge concern in hospitals as they invade patient IV bags, eyes, and wounds searching for moisture. Carpenter ants are also dangerous. If they ever decide to create an indoor nest, they will invade and tunnel through structural wood, causing extensive and expensive-to-repair damage over time.

In most cases, ants like to live outside. The Pharaoh ant is one exception; they have learned the benefits of nesting in our temperature-controlled homes. Ants aren't entering our homes because they want to hang out on the couch with us; they are in our homes because food and water attract them.

Ants want their colony to survive, and if your yard and home are going to provide them with their basic needs, they will take advantage. In addition, their small size makes it very easy to move in and out of our homes as they please.

Ants don't hide their presence from us. You will spot ants moving around your home, searching for food. The most common places to see ants traveling around your house are the basement, bathrooms, and kitchen, all places they are likely to find food and water.

If ants find their way into your home and decide to stay and nest, it'll likely be in the following areas:

• Within pieces of structural wood
• Behind wall voids
• Above ceilings
• Behind cabinets
• Crawl spaces
• Behind tubs and sinks
• Behind windows and doors

Don't try to tackle an ant infestation on your own — partner with experienced and dedicated professionals. At Encon, we can help you eliminate ants and other pests from your home and keep them from returning in the future. Our business is helping people, and we treat our customers like family and work as a team to ensure we meet your pest control needs and keep your family safe. Our knowledgeable and trained technicians will use the most up-to-date products available to perform the treatments and services necessary to rid your home of ants. Reach out to us today to get started with ant control in Worcester, MA, and surrounding areas that you can rely on!

Reduce the chance of ants making themselves at home in your Rhode Island house by doing the following things.

• Remove trash from your home regularly.
• Routinely rinse out and sanitize your trash cans.
• Store all trash in containers with sealed lids.
• After cooking or eating, put away all leftover food and clean up crumbs and food debris from tables, counters, and floors. 
• Limit their access into your home by sealing up any openings you discover.
• Reduce the moisture that attracts ants by making sure gutters are in good working order, repairing leaky spigots or hoses, and ensuring the inside of your house is well-ventilated.

Discover more about our ant control services in Worcester, MA, and surrounding areas, by giving Encon a call today!