TOP FIVE ANTS LOOKING TO KEEP COOL IN YOUR HOME

Nader's Pest Raiders Encourages Homeowners to Prevent Potential Ant Infestations

People aren't the only ones looking for a vacation spot this summer. A single ant in search of food, water and shelter can quickly become a full infestation of ants that don't want to go back home.  The scent of a sweet snack left uncovered or standing water in a kitchen sink is all it takes. A nuisance to many homeowners, ants can be extremely difficult to eradicate and Nader's Pest Raiders encourages homeowners to learn more about these insects and their habits.

"There are more than two dozen species of ants in our area and it often takes an expert to properly identify the type of ant and provide an appropriate method of treatment," said Shay Runion, Nader's pest expert. "Do-it-yourself remedies might seem an easy solution, but they are only a temporary fix. If a homeowner doesn't get to the root of the problem, for example, tasty snack crumbs under the couch, the infestation will surely continue."

Nader's encourages homeowners to be on the lookout for the top five ants looking to take a vacation in their homes this summer:

• Carpenter Ants: Carpenter ants can pose serious structural damage to homes if they are not properly identified and treated. These ants attack wet and moldy wood to create galleries for their nests, weakening the structure of the wood. Potentially destructive, these ants should be eliminated from the home as soon as possible. 
   
• Red Imported Fire Ants: Red imported fire ants get their name from the painful sting they can give humans if their nest is disturbed. These ants usually sting multiple times, leaving behind raised welts on the skin. Nests for fire ants tend to be built in large mounds, in landscaped areas or near the foundation of a home. 
   
• Odorous House Ants: These ants get their name from the rotten smell they emit when crushed. Known for having a "sweet tooth," odorous house ants will eagerly enter homes where sugar is involved. While they do not pose any health risks to humans, they can contaminate the food that they come into contact with.  
   
• Argentine Ants: Argentine ants are typically found in areas with moisture and close to a food source. Similar to odorous house ants, they prefer a sweet treat, but are also drawn toward meat, oils and eggs. They can also contaminate food they come into contact with. 
• Acrobat Ants: Acrobat ants' name comes from their habit of raising their abdomen above their head when disturbed.  Outdoors they nest under woodpiles, stones or in stumps and rotting logs and indoors may nest in wall voids.  Acrobat ants usually prefer sweets, but can also be attracted to meats. 

To keep ants from entering the home, Nader's advises all homeowners to follow these simple tips:

• Eliminate standing water;
• Keep tree branches and other plants cut back from the house;
• Seal all cracks in and around the bottom of the house;
• Make sure that firewood and building materials are not stored next to the home; and
• Seal all food, especially sweets.