Ants are one of the most common home-invading pests in the Plano area, so if you own property, whether a home or business, ants could very well become an issue at some point. While dealing with any ant infestation can be frustrating given their invasive nature, some species are more dangerous than others.
Pharaoh ants are one of the most dangerous ants in the area because of the illnesses they spread. So, unlike other species that are mostly considered a nuisance pest, being able to identify pharaoh ants and remove them as quickly as possible is vital.
Ant species can be difficult to tell apart if you don’t know what you’re looking for, so we’ve provided a brief overview of what the pharaoh ant looks like:
- They only get to be about 1/16th of an inch long.
- They are light yellow with red or black lower abdomens.
- They have six, thin legs.
- Their antennas have 12 segments.
While some species prefer to live outdoors, pharaoh ants commonly come inside to create indoor nests. They are also known for having huge colonies, and they can invade homes, hospitals, warehouses, grocery stores, and any other place where they have access to food sources. They prefer to nest in damp, shady areas such as behind baseboards or in crawl spaces.
Just How Dangerous Are Pharaoh Ants?
All ant species can be a problem because they can contaminate food sources including both human and pet food. However, most of these species aren’t known to spread any dangerous illnesses. The pharaoh ant is an exception.
These ants can spread illnesses including salmonella and dysentery when they get into food or crawl over surfaces in your home. It’s important to always throw away any food they touch and to sanitize any areas where they have been.
The other big problem with pharaoh ants is that they are extremely difficult to remove once they’ve started to build nests. Their colonies can grow out of control and contain thousands of individual ants and multiple queens if the infestation is allowed to grow.
Is It Possible To Prevent Pharaoh Ants?
Since this species poses dangerous health risks and is so invasive, taking steps to prevent them is one of the best ways to keep your property safe. While preventive measures aren’t a complete guarantee, they can make your home or business a less appealing place for pharaoh ants.
Here are the steps you should take:
- Always clean up food and drink spills right away.
- Store food, including pet food, in airtight containers.
- Take out the trash on a regular basis.
- Get rid of access points by repairing broken screens.
- Install door sweeps and weather stripping,
- Regularly sweep and vacuum.
What Should You Do If You Have Pharaoh Ants?
f you’ve noticed pharaoh ants around your Plano property, it’s not worth the time, money, and stress it will take to try to remove them on your own. Unlike many other ant species, they can pose serious health risks, so removing the infestation is necessary. The safest and easiest way to get rid of pharaoh ants is to work with the experts at All-Safe Pest & Termite. Our trained technicians will remove the entire ant infestation, so you don’t have to deal with a recurring problem.
We provide award-winning service and fast response times, and you can even get a free, no-obligation estimate. To get started, give us a call today.