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Do you need a Zephyrhills ant exterminator? If you are currently dealing with an infestation on your home or property, please give us a call at 1-800-634-1313 or visit insectfree.com for a free consultation today. Let us show you why Earth’s Best has been in business for thirty years! 

Zephyrhills Ant Exterminator: Overview

Florida is just lousy with ants. I hate to say it, but it’s the truth. We’re home to a variety of ant species as well, ranging from harmless native species to heavyweight invaders that are capable of dealing damage to fully grown humans! And all of these species are capable of becoming a real problem on your property. Any species of ant, in large enough numbers, can be a major nuisance for homeowners and businesses in Florida.

Why are the ants so bad in the state? Well, there’s a few reasons. The first and most obvious is simple. The environment. It’s the same reason we have twenty-two million permanent residents in the state. The beaches, the beautiful woods, the lovely swamps. We’re not the only things that love environments like these. Any bug that makes it’s way to the state tends to flourish.

Not only that, but the waste created by twenty-two million people is more than enough food for these ants. Any dumpster, garbage dump, or trash can you see in Florida is going to be swarming with insects- ants among them. It’s the reality of living in a warm, swampy, southern state. There’s going to be lots of bugs!

Zephyrhills Ant Exterminator: What species are the worst in central Florida?

Now, there are dozens of species of ants in this state. But we’ll touch on some that if you find in your home, you’re really going to want to call an exterminator ASAP.

Fire Ants

Starting off, it’s probably the worst pest ant in Florida. Fire ants get their names from their venom. In their thorax, they hold alkaline venom that they inject repeatedly into anything they bite. Their method of defense is savage, by the way. They clamp down with their mandibles on anything near them and stab their venom in a circular pattern to deliver it as much as possible into anything they had grabbed. Ouch!

These ants are, shockingly, not native to the U.S. I know that if you throw a rock in Florida, it’s liable to land in a fire ant pile. But these bugs weren’t introduced to the U.S. until the last century, where they made their way into the south via a trade ship.

You can identify these ants by their coloration and nesting habits. A fire ant will create one of two types of nests. In empty fields, you’ll see them build huge mounds that are roughly two feet from end to end. The other kind you’ll see is a tube that rises a foot in the air.

Ghost ants

The next species that will have you running for a Zephyrhills pest control specialist is the ghost ant. These pests are named for their ghost-like appearance and bodies. They’re incredibly small and hard to see with the naked eye.

The problem with these ants is their tendencies regarding nesting. Ghost ants don’t create just one quality. A ghost ant infestation can lead to wall voids full of several colonies, each home to thousands of ants. If you suspect you have a ghost ant infestation, it’s essential you contact a pest control specialist as soon as possible because it’s one of the hardest to get rid of.

These ants like sweet foods. So if you find them in your home, you’ll likely see them swarming things like sugar in the pantry or cookies in a jar.

Zephyrhills Ant Exterminator: Ant Prevention tips

When it comes to ants or any pest, really, exclusion is best. It’s simple, really; you can’t have a pest control problem if the pests don’t get established in the first place! So, let’s touch on a few things you can do to keep these pests out of your home.

Ant bait?

For one, we’ll start with spot-treating small ant incursions. If you notice a small and temporary invasion of ants, physical controls can be helpful.  Things like bait stations with slow acting poisons or sticky traps can both be used. However, use caution with poisons of any kind. Anything that eats a bug or animal you’ve poisoned will themselves be poisoned, so use with caution.

Cleanliness

Not only is cleanliness next to godliness. But it’s also close to essential! Sanitation is critical to prevention and control. Keeping food preparation areas clean and free of debris, sealing cracks and crevices, and removing landscape debris from around the house are all effective ways to prevent ant infestations. Ants are attracted to sweet and greasy foods, so it is important to keep these foods stored in sealed containers.

Habitat modification is key as well. And what do I mean by that? Well, habitat modification involves reducing ant entryways and their access to food. Ants can enter the home through small cracks and crevices, so it is important to seal these entryways with caulk or weather stripping. Keeping food in sealed containers and cleaning up spills and crumbs immediately can also help prevent ants from entering the home.

Water is another key in the fight against pest invasions in the home. Leaky pipes are a big problem. They can wet wood well enough to make it appetizing to fire ants and termites. And not only that, the water dripping out will be more than enough to sustain a colony of ants in your home.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, any pest infestation is going to be hard for a single person to deal with. Instead, you should rely on a professional pest control company to give you the help you need. Ant infestations can be a major nuisance for homeowners. However, by implementing the right strategies and working with a professional pest control company, you can keep your property ant-free and enjoy a pest-free living environment. Earth’s Best is a local leader in ant pest control and offers comprehensive services for your pest control and lawn care needs.

Contact us today to learn more about their services and how they can help you keep your property ant-free.