Ant Identification & Prevention

Frequently Asked Questions About Ants

What are ants?

Ants are small insects that many individuals in Cincinnati, OH, easily recognize; they are often thought of as a nuisance pest, but an ant infestation crawling out of control on your property brings several serious problems.

There are a few different types of ants in our area, and Arab Termite and Pest will help you with accurate identification of these insects. In general, ants can be identified by their segmented bodies that can be up to around an inch in length, six legs, strong jaws, and colors ranging from brown and red to black. Ants also live in colonies with distinct social structures, and colonies may be mostly underground with only a mound to mark the location of the colony.

Are ants dangerous?

Even though ants are small and commonplace in Cincinnati, they are dangerous insects to host on your property. Ants frequently invade food storage and preparation areas, spreading around bacteria and pathogens that they pick up from the outdoors. You may contract illnesses such as salmonellosis and gastroenteritis due to an ant infestation.

Additionally, all ants have the potential to bite humans. These bites may result in nothing more than an itchy bump, but they also have the potential to be incredibly painful depending on the ant and may trigger allergic reactions. Some ant species are also known for swarming their victims, resulting in further health issues.

To avoid these dangers, professional ant control should be employed around your property to effectively get rid of ants.

Why do I have an ant problem?

Ants, like many other pest species, are attracted to properties that can easily host them. This means that properties with an abundance of water, food, and sheltering spots in easy reach are more likely to pick up ant problems than others. If you are noticing an increase in ants around your property, you should take time to evaluate outdoor and indoor areas for common ant attractants such as spilled food and drink, unprotected trash cans, moisture issues, and overgrown foliage.

Where will I find ants?

Ants are commonly found outdoors, though their colonies may be hard to locate when they are under the ground. Mounds of dirt above ground indicate where ant colonies are located. Ants also love to hide around debris piles, compost piles, and waste disposal areas. Once they invade interior spaces, you may see ants near food storage spaces, kitchens, bathrooms, and trash cans.

How do I get rid of ants?

If you want to defeat ants on your Cincinnati property, your best option is to contact Arab Termite and Pest for pest control ant treatment. Our technicians are experts and understand how to apply effective ant control so your property is free from the trouble and dangers this pest brings.

Call us now to learn more about our ant and home pest control plans or to get started.

How can I prevent ants in the future?

The following ant prevention tips will help stop this pest from invading your Cincinnati property in the future:

• Always clean up food and drink spills promptly and store leftover food properly to stop the aroma from attracting hungry ants.
• Seal trash bags tightly, dispose of trash promptly, and cover trash cans or compost piles with lids to prevent ants from invading these areas.
• Clear outdoor areas of debris such as fallen fruit and woodpiles in addition to cutting back long grasses to reduce ant hiding spots.
• Install window and door screens, sealing up any cracks near these spaces, to stop ants from easily getting inside your property.

Contact Arab Termite and Pest today for more advice or assistance.