Here in San Antonio, our warm year-round temperatures allow many pests to remain active when they would usually become dormant in other places across the country. Ants are one of the pest species that remain active year-round in our area, which means it’s always ant season. Some of the most common ants in San Antonio include fire ants, crazy ants, odorous house ants, and carpenter ants. However, every ant species has a similar caste system, which is a system that divides individual ants in a colony into specific roles. Ant colonies consist of reproductive females, reproductive males, and non-reproductive females. In most cases, these castes are referred to as queens, males, and workers.
Problems Ants Cause
Depending on which ant species invades your San Antonio property, you may find yourself dealing with different problems. Odorous house ants are known to contaminate food items and create an unpleasant odor in your home. Crazy ants often invade electronics and damage air conditioners, house wiring, vehicles, and other equipment. Carpenter ants create massive networks of tunnels and nesting galleries within the wooden structures on your property. Fire ants nest in your yard and deliver painful bites when disturbed. No matter what species of ant has invaded your property, it’s important to identify and remove the infestation as soon as possible.
Ant Prevention Tips
Ants are often attracted to houses with excess moisture, available food sources, and shelter. Carpenter ants will infest homes for food initially and then nest in wooden structures within the house. The first step to keeping ants out is by removing the factors that attract them. To avoid attracting ants to your San Antonio home, consider the following ant prevention methods:
- Remove weeds, thick brush, and tall grass from around your foundation.
- Repair leaking fixtures and pipes to avoid supplying ant colonies with excess moisture.
- Seal up cracks and gaps along your foundation and exterior walls. Keep your garbage bins covered and stored away from your foundation.
- Remove stumps, logs, and other potential wooden items that could attract carpenter ants.
- Partner with a trusted pest control company for a year-round pest protection plan.
Ant colonies are often very difficult to remove. Most colonies will split if they perceive a threat, which can cause even more problems. It’s always best to let the pest professionals handle your ant infestation. Here at Romney Pest, we offer several different pest control plans for homeowners in San Antonio. For the most effective defense against ants and the problems they cause, consider giving the pest professionals here at Romney Pest Control a call today!
