Ant Control 101: A Helpful Guide For Durham Homeowners

Many types of ants live in Durham. While they may have different habits and behaviors, they all have one thing in common: the ability to invade homes by the thousands. If you see an ant in your home, there is a good chance it has many more friends hiding in various parts of your home. 

At The Eco Man Pest Solutions, we specialize in eco-friendly ant control in Durham. Our qualified team has over 25 years of experience dealing with all the common ants found in this part of North Carolina. If you can't get rid of the ants in your house, we have the perfect solution for you.

Ant Behavior: Social Hierarchy And Communication

Ant colonies can be extremely large. Our ant exterminators have seen colonies that contain up to two million ants in one nest. Because they live in such large numbers, everyone in the colony must have unique responsibilities to help the colony thrive and continue to grow. 

Once an ant in Durham reaches adulthood, it will belong to one of these castes:

• Queen: The only female reproductive ant in the colony. She can lay several hundred eggs a day, and her sole responsibility is to reproduce. Most ant species only have one queen in each colony, but some species may have more than one queen living in a nest together. 
• Male reproductive: The male reproductive and the queen are the only ants in the nest that can procreate. All males in a colony are required to mate with the queen. 
• Workers: The workers are all female ants. They have several responsibilities, which include building the nest, feeding the young ants, and foraging for food. 

Because ants can't talk, they will use pheromones to communicate. When one ant finds a reliable food source, it will alert the other ants by creating a pheromone trail. If you see ants walking in a straight line, they are following the pheromone trail, and you should clean that area as soon as possible. You should also contact an ant control specialist to inspect your home to find the rest of the colony. 

Ant Problems: Health Concerns And Property Damage

The common household ant can carry around various diseases that could be transmitted to you if they enter your home. Some of the most common ant-borne illnesses people are known to catch include streptococcus and salmonellosis. 

In addition to spreading dangerous diseases, some ants can bite and stink. Fire ants, for example, are aggressive little ants that will bite and sting you simultaneously. Symptoms in a fire ant bite are usually mild, but some people could experience a severe allergic reaction from the fire ant's venom. 

Carpenter ants are one of the most destructive types of ants in this area. They can chew holes through various wooden surfaces. They build their nest deep inside of wood, which can affect the structural integrity of that wood over time. 

Ants may be small, but they have the ability to cause a lot of problems. If you see any ants around your home, you should consult with an experienced ant exterminator. 

Ant Prevention Is Key: Effective Tips And Tricks

If you want to keep ants away from your home, make sure to remove any hiding spots by keeping your lawn well-maintained and removing any clutter from your home. You can also team with a professional ant control specialist to devise a customized preventative plan. 

Professional Ant Control: A Great Way To Keep Ants Out For Good

Don't let ants take over your Durham property. Call our home pest control professionals at The Eco Man Pest Solutions today to take care of all your ant removal and control needs.