Ants are social insects that reside in colonies underground or inside walls. By nature, ants are very difficult to control. One colony can number up to 500,000 ants that can uproot and move easily when threatened. The average life span of one ant is up to seven years and the queen can live up to 15 years, virtually insuring a colony’s long lifetime. Ants feed on any kind of food, but typically sweets and proteins lure them indoors. Most ants are more annoying than dangerous, however there are several species in our area that can cause structural damage as well as pain and even death in small animals.

Visual identification:   Ants have three body regions (head, thorax and abdomen) and many – particularly female carpenter ants – have wings. They vary in color from brown, red to black.

Visible evidence:   Ants leave an invisible pheromone trail for others to follow, so when you seen one, there are hundreds more waiting to come in.

Damage evidence:   Carpenter ants do not eat wood; they nest in moist or unsound wood. The most common indication that carpenter ants are at work is sawdust typically found in door and window jambs, but they may also infest furniture and other wooden structures.

Bites:   Red, pus-filled bumps that sting and/or itch intensely are usually bites caused by the fire ant. Fire ant colonies are normally found outdoors in soil. Try Nader’s Once-A-Year Fire Ant Program – guaranteed to eliminate fire ants from the treated area or we will retreat for free!