You can find several different types of ants in Indianapolis, each with separate appearances and characteristics. Some ants can cause problems in your home, while others are just annoying. Colonies of ants number in the thousands, so a small infestation can quickly become an invasion.
Depending on the size of the problem, you might need pest control in Indianapolis. Keep reading to learn about the types of ants you might encounter and how to get rid of them.
The Many Types Of Ants That Can Invade Your Home
Several types of ants in Indianapolis find their way into homes. Most of these ants enter your residence looking for food and water sources and won’t cause any damage. However, some ants can cause structural or medical problems.
The four most common ants found in Indianapolis are:
- Carpenter ants: Larger than most ants, carpenter ants in Indianapolis are 1/2 to 5/8 of an inch in length. Their coloring is red, black, brown, or a combination of red and black.
- Thief ants: These tiny ants are around 1/16 of an inch. Also known as grease or sugar ants, they are pale yellow to brown.
- Odorous house ants: With a size between the carpenter and thief ant, odorous house ants in Indianapolis are 1/16 to 1/8 of an inch and produce a rotten coconut-like scent when crushed or threatened.
- Pavement ants: These ants are 1/8 of an inch, dark brown to black, and nest under cracks in the pavement.
Fire ants can also be found in the area but are less common than these other ants. While you’re more likely to find these pests in a fire ant hill in your yard, they can still get into your house.
How Dangerous Is It To Have Ants In My House?
The level of danger an ant presents depends on the type. Some ants can cause structural problems for your home or medical issues for family members, while others might only require you to throw out food. Knowing which ants you’re dealing with will help you determine the level of danger.
The most dangerous ants in Indianapolis are carpenter ants. These insects infest wood and create galleries, weakening the structural integrity of your home over time. Thief ants, odorous house ants, and pavement ants in your Indianapolis house don’t cause nearly as much damage and only contaminate food and surfaces.
Fire ants can cause medical issues for certain people. Most people will only experience a stinging sensation, but those allergic to insect venom could have an allergic reaction.
Practical Ant Prevention Tips For Your Home
You’ve likely seen several do-it-yourself products to deal with ants. Unfortunately, most of these don’t work long-term because ants can still find their way into your home. The best way to prevent ants from invading your house is to take preventative measures.
Some of the best ant prevention tips include the following:
- Cleaning up standing water
- Removing food debris
- Sealing trash cans
- Installing weatherstripping on doors and windows
- Keeping food in airtight containers
While these tips can help limit the number of ants in your home, these pests will usually still find an entrance. If you’re dealing with an infestation of ants in Indianapolis, call the best pest control company for ants to help.
Contact The Pros About Ants Around Your Home
When ants invade your home, they can be difficult to remove. Our Indianapolis ant control professionals at Action Pest Control will determine where the ants are coming from and the best treatment to ensure they don’t return. We treat all parts of your property and use safe products to protect you and your family. If you need Indianapolis pest control, call us today to get started and to learn more about our residential and commercial pest control services in Indianapolis.