Over 12,000 ant species have been discovered and named worldwide. While most of them aren’t home-oriented, some of the ones that are can end up destroying your property.
Ants have varying levels of activity in the house. Some species of ants are just annoying, while others are destructive and aggressive.
Once you notice ants on your McKinney, TX property, the goal should be to get rid of them. Here is our step-by-step guide to controlling ants in your home.
Common Ant Species in McKinney TX
Common ant species in McKinney, TX include:
Carpenter Ants
These ants have shiny black bodies and like to feed on moist, decaying wood. They also build their nests there. Carpenter ants are among the most destructive of all ants. They damage the structures of properties and may even threaten the stability of a home.
Fire Ants
Fire ants are an aggressive ant species. They are primarily red-colored. Fire ants attack any threats in groups by swarming and releasing painful stings. Some people even have severe allergic reactions to fire ant stings.
Odorous House Ants
These ants give off a rotten odor similar to rotten coconut when crushed. Odorous house ants are dark brown or black.
Sugar Ants
They are attracted to sweet things in the house. They are tiny and tend to target places like your kitchen and pantries.
Pharaoh Ants
Pharaoh ants are almost transparent, with a characteristic light brown or yellow hue. They are very destructive and capable of creating holes in fabrics. They are also a dangerous hospital pest.
What Attracts Ants to Your McKinney, TX Home?
The main attractions for ants in your McKinney, TX home are food and water sources. Dirty water sources or improperly disposed of food waste will attract ants into the home.
Here are some examples of things that attract ants into the home:
- Stagnant water
- Wet wood
- Dead animals or insects
- Dirty kitchen countertops
- Food crumbs, sugary substances, and spills
- Overflowing trash bins
- Leaking pipes and other fixtures
- Leftover food and drinks
- Excessive indoor moisture
- Uneaten pet food
Our Step-by-Step Ant Control Guide
The first step to getting rid of ants in your home is to figure out what’s enticing them. Then, it’s time to take action.
Make sure you limit their food sources. You should be diligent in handling pet food and maintaining cleanliness during and after meals. Keep these steps in mind:
- Be sure to clean up pet food as soon as they finish eating.
- Properly discard waste and leftovers. Ants love trash, so it’s important to manage it well.
- Once there is a spill or mess, clean it up immediately.
- For food product storage, invest in airtight containers. That way, ants don’t get to smell and approach them, causing an infestation.
Also, knowing that you might have ants in your home, you need to eliminate their entrance and exit paths. You can do this by:
- Getting rid of clutter
- Deep cleaning
- Clearing lawn debris
- Yard maintenance
- Storing items and firewood away from the home’s foundation
- Sealing any cracks, crevices, or holes
Moisture creates a nesting zone for ants. Reduce the humidity and moisture indoors with dehumidifiers. For outdoors, fix any leaking faucets, pipes, and other fixtures.
Where Can I Find Ants?
Ants are everywhere. They can create nests both inside and outside the house. Because they are little, it’s easy for them to use their size to their advantage. They can come into the house through any opening.
Popular places to find ants include:
- Drains
- Electrical and utility boxes
- Dirt mounds
- Motors of appliances including the microwave, stove, dishwasher, sink, and refrigerator
- Around floorboards and walls, especially in cracks, crevices, and behind wallpaper
- Under stacks of firewood, especially when moist
- Piles of leaves and yard debris
Conclusion
Following these guides to ant control can help you keep these pests at bay. Still, it might not be enough. Ants are persistent, and if they find any food or water source, they’ll just keep coming back. If you have a persistent ant infestation, it’s best to hire McKinney pest experts to deal with them for you.
Stampede Pest Control will help you get rid of ants with ease. Call us today for more information and a free estimate!