Down here in the Southlands spring is roaring around the corner. The beaches are going to be full soon. So will the parks, with the smell of fresh cut grass and barbeque dominating the suburbs. But those same suburbs will also be contending with a returning pest. That’s right, ants. So let’s touch on Polk County ant control, and what types of ants may be trying to invade your home this spring.
Polk County Ant Control: Are ants a problem in Florida?
In Florida, we have a problem with a multitude of pest species great and small. From invasive pythons that can reach nearly twenty feet in length, to tegus roaming our lowland forests, to ants in the attic. If you can name a species of pest, there’s a good chance it can be found in Florida. Ants are no exception to this rule either. We have native species, tropical species, and even Asian and African species that have found their way to Florida shores.
Many ant species reach our state through our travel and trade industries. It really only takes one contaminated box of fruit or produce for Florida to have more Polk county ant control issues! Because once these pests reach the sunshine state, they’re here to stay. American flora and fauna are majestic, but relatively mild in the insect realm compared to other countries. Ants from other parts of the world usually have to contend with predation and competition at much more intense levels.
This means that once they arrive they put down stakes and set up. Fire ants aren’t even from this country, but they’ve become ubiquitous with the southern summers. Speaking of, let’s get into some of the species you may need help with controlling.
Polk County Ant Control: What species of ants are an issue in Florida?
Like I said above, there’s multiple pest species of ant in Florida that you really should be mindful of. Let’s touch on a few of the worst ones, then discuss some basic control methods you can use in the home.
Fire ants
This species of ant hails from south America. They first came to America around 1930, and arrived on a cargo shipment that had departed from brazil. The fire ants hitched a ride and once they arrived, they found a land devoid of natural predators or intense competition among ant species. And the American south provided a perfect climate, with stormy summers, mild winters, and plenty of humidity.
Fire ants are going to very likely be your number one reason you need some Polk county ant control. These are a very aggressive species of ants. When a fire ant nest is disturbed, they pour out of every hole they can to clamp down and sting repeatedly into whatever gives them trouble.
These are one of the most dangerous Florida pets to have in your home. Their aggressive nature and alkaline venom can present a genuine threat to life to young or sensitive people. Nothing will make you need Polk county ant control like waking up to a baby or toddler covered with ants that are stinging them, or someone going into shock from an allergic reaction to the venom.
ghost ants
Commonly known as sugar ants, ghost ants are a big problem in Polk County. In fact, houses infested with ghost ants can be found all across the state. They’re a common nuisance in Florida and on the rise in the Tampa area.
These are small ants, usually less than two millimeters in length. This combined with a dark head and translucent body leads to them being hard to see and nearly unnoticeable if it’s just one or two walking around. Their pale legs and bodies make them look “fading” or ghostly, hence the name. They have a segmented body like most ants, and antennae that are bent in the middle. Focus on the contrasting dark head and cream colored body to identify this pest.
This is a tropical species that thrives in subtropical regions. Their unique physical and behavioral characteristics make them a concern for homeowners. These ants have a tendency to go after sugary foods, fruits, and carb-rich food sources. They can also consume proteins and fats however, and will eat a large range of household foods.
Their colonies are moderate to large in size, usually containing at least a few thousand worker ants. A unique trait of their colonies, however, is that they have multiple queens in each nest. This facilitates rapid population turn overs, and can lead to large infestations. Their migratory behavior is a problem as well.
These ants will send queens out with a handful of workers to establish new colonies. In the right home under right condition, multiple nests pumping out thousands of ants can exist in your wall voids. They thrive in locations with high moisture and humidity. These ants tend to live around homes that have water damage.
Polk County Ant Control: How to keep ants out of the home
The issue with an ant infestation is that once it’s established, there really is no getting rid of it. So let’s go over a few common methods of prevention that you can give a try to keep them from getting in in the first place.
For one, exclusion is going to be a big part of any prevention plan. Sealing cracks and crevices in and around the home, making sure utility pipes are insulted and there’s no gaping holes leading inside, and fixing window and door screens are all good steps to take.
And of course, cleanliness is a big way to keep ant numbers down around your home. If you don’t have them already, make sure your indoor trash cans have locking lids to exclude pests. Cleaning up crumbs and spills the second you drop them can also make more of a difference than you might think, as these pests need very little food to live on.
Trimming overhanging branches will also remove a major highway for ants, and keep them from simply dropping from above into your home.
