Ants are a common nuisance that many homeowners encounter at some point or another. They aren’t seen as much more than an annoyance but can quickly get out of hand if they aren’t dealt with properly.
In this article, we’ll talk about the basics of pest control in Virginia Beach to help you understand how to combat these pests. We’ll talk about a couple of ant species you might find around your home, how you should deal with ants you find inside, and what you can do to keep ants from getting into your home in the first place. Finally, we’ll talk about why DIY ant treatments aren’t usually a good idea, as well as how our team at No To Bugs can help you with any ant problems you might be facing.
Common Species Of Ants Found In Virginia Beach
About 25 different types of ants are known to invade homes, but in this article, we’ll focus on two that commonly occur in the Virginia Beach area. These two species are the carpenter ant and the little black ant.
The carpenter ant is named after its habit of burrowing into wood surfaces and forming tunnels, which they use as nests. Carpenter ants tend to be between ½ to 5/8 inches long, and they are usually colored black, red, black and red, or brown. The little black ant is named for its appearance. They are generally jet-black and can be as small as 1/16 inch long. These ants are often found in wooded areas or near damaged wood in buildings.
Next, let’s talk about how you should handle ants inside your home.
Should You Kill Ants You See Inside?
When responding to an ant infestation, many homeowners are inclined to try and dispose of as many of these insects as possible to run them off. While this can help the issue, it usually won’t fix it.
Ants are capable of rapid and effective communication, enabling them to respond to threats and changes in their environment quickly. Entire colonies will sometimes move in response to danger, but they may not leave your home; they may just find another hiding place. This can create a terrible game of hide and seek where you are trying to find the Virginia Beach pests that keep moving around your home to places you can’t reach.
Tips To Ant-Proof Your Virginia Beach Home
One of the best ways to deal with ants is to set up preventative measures. These tactics can help you keep ants from getting into your home in the first place:
- Seal any cracks or gaps in the exterior of your home.
- Get rid of any sources of standing water or excess moisture.
- Trim tree branches and shrubs that grow too close to the house.
- Store firewood away from your home and off the ground.
- Take out the trash frequently.
These ant prevention tips should help you keep your home safe from the threat of ants. If you do find yourself dealing with ants, it’s often best to contact a professional pest control company.
Why DIY Treatments For Ants Are Not Recommended
Many homeowners make the mistake of attempting to treat ants on their own. While some home remedies may yield results, do-it-yourself treatments for ants usually don’t get the job done. Ants are highly adaptable and can survive most of these procedures, assuming the treatment works at all. Contacting a professional pest control company for help is usually far more effective.
No To Bugs has been serving the Virginia Beach area for years, providing reliable ant removal services to residents. We treat all our customers with care and use only the most proven, effective treatments and techniques.
Contact No To Bugs today for more information about our residential and commercial pest control services in Virginia Beach.