They may not walk like an Egyptian, but pharaoh ants do invade Plano homes. Pharaoh ants are a home-invading ant species that many Plano homeowners have had the displeasure of dealing with before. That’s because an infestation from these frequent home invaders is no picnic. They can spread a handful of harmful diseases, and getting rid of them is an extremely difficult task in and of itself. That’s why you need to know the effective preventative measures you can take to keep these unwanted ants out of your Plano home in the first place. Moreover, should you find yourself dealing with an infestation, you need to know the effective pharaoh ant control options you can count on to get rid of them.
What Do Pharaoh Ants Look Like?
Pharaoh ants are small ants that only grow to be about 1/16th of an inch long. They have pale bodies that tend to be yellow or reddish with black or darker abdomens. Pharaoh ants build large colonies. Most colonies have thousands of worker ants. What’s worse, trying to remove a pharaoh ant colony without the proper equipment or expertise will most likely result in budding—the colony dividing up into several different colonies and relocating—multiplying your problem. This is why pharaoh ants are so hard to get rid of.
In addition to being hard to get rid of, pharaoh ants are also quite dangerous to have to live in your home. They have been known to spread over twelve disease-causing pathogens that can lead to such illnesses as salmonellosis and streptococcus. Ultimately, there are many reasons you don’t want pharaoh ants infesting your Plano home.
What Factors Attract Pharaoh Ants To Homes?
Like other ants, pharaoh ants are attracted to food and water sources. Therefore, things like improperly stored food, improperly stored trash, dirty homes, and leaks could all attract pharaoh ants inside. Furthermore, pharaoh ants might enter a home simply because there is an easy way inside. Working to limit these factors is the first step in keeping your Plano home protected from dangerous and unwanted pharaoh ants.
How Can You Prevent Pharaoh Ants?
To effectively keep pharaoh ants out of your Plano home, you should do your best to remove all factors that attract them inside and seal off any potential entry points. To achieve these goals, you should:
- Store garbage in bins with tight-fitting lids.
- Take out the trash regularly and don’t let it overflow in the can.
- Store food in airtight containers or in the refrigerator.
- Wipe up spills from countertops and floors promptly.
- Refrain from keeping dirty dishes stacked in your sink.
- Fix leaking pipes and fixtures and make sure your drains are working correctly.
- Install door sweeps under exterior doors.
- Install weatherstripping around windows and exterior doors.
- Fill in cracks in your home’s foundation with caulk.
- Seal off any holes around your home’s exterior such as around vents, pipes, and utility lines.
Pharaoh Ant Control For Your Plano Home
Even with the proper preventative measures in place, you could still wind up dealing with a pharaoh ant infestation. If such is the case, don’t fret, the trained pest professionals here at All-Safe Pest & Termite are only one call away. Not only will we effectively eliminate any pharaoh ant infestation with which you are dealing, but if you opt for one of our ongoing pest control plans, we will make sure your Plano home and property remain pest-free throughout the entire year. Don’t let pharaoh ants threaten the health and safety of your family. Contact All-Safe Pest & Termite and get started with an ant-control program you can count on.