Ant Identification & Prevention

Frequently Asked Questions About Ants

What are ants?

Ants live worldwide in almost every habitat. They are insects that almost everyone has come into contact with at some point. Ants are social insects, and each ant within the colony has a specific purpose and job to ensure the colony survives and succeeds.

Hundreds of different types of ants live across the country, each with unique appearances, behaviors, and food preferences. What all ants have in common is that they never belong, taking over our Maryland yards and homes.

Are ants dangerous?

Most of the ants we find crawling through our yards, gardens, outdoor eating areas, and the surfaces of our homes are more of a nuisance than a danger. But that doesn't mean we should ignore their presence; simply put, ants don't belong where we live! They invade in large numbers, are difficult to eliminate, contaminate surfaces with bacteria, and contaminate our food.

While most ants do not pose significant dangers, some do. Dangerous ants bite, sting, spread human pathogens, and cause structural damage. The best way to determine the exact species of ant that has found its way to your property and eliminate them as quickly as possible is to partner with a pest control professional.

Why do I have an ant problem?

Ants are highly attracted to food and moisture, two things our Maryland properties offer. Ants are naturally opportunistic, and as scavengers, they feed on almost anything they come across, usually having an affinity for sweets and proteins. In our yards, ants regularly forage for food from our trash cans, recycling bins, compost piles, gardens, and outdoor eating areas.

Ants are skilled communicators and lay down a pheromone trail to "tell" the other ants in the colony where there is a reliable food or water source. Once ants discover a place they can have their basic needs met, they will keep returning, and you won't easily deter them.

Where will I find ants?

Most ants prefer to live outside and build tunnels and nests within the ground. Others will use downed trees, cracks in the pavement, or piles of yard debris as nesting sites.

Unfortunately, ants don't just stay outside. When they are nesting in or near your yard, it is very common for ants to find their way into your home. They use small openings they find in your home's exterior to move in and out of your house as they forage for food. Sometimes ants will move into our Maryland homes to stay; they use them as a safe place to build a nest and expand their colony away from predators and harsh weather conditions. 

How do I get rid of ants?

Ants live, work, and travel together in large numbers, which, coupled with their small size, makes keeping these pests out of our homes difficult. The best defense against invading ants is to have in place regular pest control services.

Our quarterly home pest control services will eliminate the ants and other household pests currently in your home and prevent future pest problems.

For the best pest control for your Pasadena, MD home, reach out to Accutech Pest Management; we are here to help. Call today for more information about our services, competitive prices, and free estimates!

How can I prevent ants in the future?

Prevent future problems with ants with the assistance of Accutech Pest Management, our effective ant control solutions, and the following helpful ant prevention tips.

• Never store your family's food in easy reach of ants. Keep it in the fridge or airtight containers.
• Regularly vacuum and wipe down surfaces in your home to remove crumbs and spills.
• Never store trash in open containers. All trash cans should have locking lids.
• Take away entry and exits points by caulking cracks in the foundation, sealing gaps around utilities, and placing mesh covers over vents and chimneys. 
• Eliminate water sources by repairing leaky fixtures, hoses, and air conditioners. Use dehumidifiers to reduce humidity levels in your home.

For a no-stress way to avoid issues with ants, please call today!