Ants

You wouldn’t think something that can be squished by the bottom of your shoe could be dangerous to you, but ants can be dangerous to both people and our properties.

The carpenter ant is dangerous to our structures. When they move inside our homes to nest, they invade structural wood. If not eliminated, the damage they cause can become widespread and costly.

Pharaoh ants are another species considered dangerous. They prefer to nest inside to benefit from our temperature-controlled buildings. Healthcare facilities and any structure that stores or prepares food are especially vulnerable to Pharaoh ants. These ants are especially problematic because they spread dangerous pathogens like streptococcus.

Fortunately, most ants that invade our homes don’t pose huge threats and are mostly unwanted annoyances. However, no ants belong inside our homes because they can spread bacteria and contaminate our food sources.

A single ant colony will typically have multiple nesting sites. All nesting sites need to be found and treated to eliminate ants from your property. Ants will nest both inside and outside our homes.

Where an ant prefers to nest outside can vary by species, but most will choose to nest in damp soil found under things like trees, mulch, leaf piles, landscaping ties, and woodpiles. Carpenter ants differ because they create their nests inside wood, preferring decaying or water-damaged wood.

When ants are nesting in our homes, they usually are found near sources of moisture. Walls voids near heating units and water pipes are some favorite nesting spots. They will also create nests under floors, behind cabinets, and in attics.

Ants are a trying pest for even the most seasoned homeowner to manage. When ants invade your property, don’t get frustrated; get help from an experienced professional! At Owyhee Environmental, our Four Season Protection Plan will protect your home from ants and other pests throughout the entire year.

Using a low-impact approach and high-quality products, we provide long-lasting solutions you can trust. We are dedicated to offering families affordable pest solutions and peace of mind. If you are experiencing problems with ants in your Boise or Meridian area home or business, call Owyhee Environmental today!

At Owyhee Environmental, we want to help you prevent problems with ants by providing a list of prevention tips that will make your property less attractive to these pests:

• Remove woodpiles, tree stumps, fallen trees, and old wooden fencing from your yard that could attract carpenter ants and other ants to your property.
• Take away an ant’s entry points by sealing any cracks or openings you discover in the foundation. Place covers over vents, seal spaces around utilities entering your home, and install door sweeps on exterior doors.
• Move woodpiles and other debris away from the exterior of your home.
• You should always keep lids on trash cans and recycling bins.
• At any sign of a leaky pipe or fixture in your home, make immediate repairs.
• Keep your kitchen as free of food debris as possible; regularly wash dishes, remove trash daily, sweep floors, and wipe down counters.