Ant pest control in Sacramento is Here in Sacramento, ants are a serious problem for homeowners and business owners. Our humid weather and mild winters mean that there aren’t many challenges that keep ant populations in check. That means we have quite a few different species in the Sacramento area that can cause homeowners no end of headaches.

From property damage to bacterial contamination to nasty stings, common ants around here can be more than just a nuisance. Luckily, there are lots of ways you can repel ants. Let’s take a look.

Common Sacramento Local Area Ants

Dozens of ant species call California home. However, you’re more likely to run into some varieties in your home than others. Common pest ant species in our area include:

• Carpenter Ants: These large, black ants are particularly dangerous to a property because they like to nest in wood. That means they destroy wooden homes and commercial buildings just like termites do. If left alone, a serious carpenter ant infestation can do as much damage as any termite colony.
• Crazy Ants: Crazy ants are named for their erratic running patterns. These hairy, yellow to dark brown ants move fast and – as their name suggests – crazily. Indoors, they like to nest in potted plants.
• Fire Ants: Red fire ants are native to South America, not California, but they’ve become endemic here in just a few decades. These small, red-and-brown ants are not only capable of inflicting a nasty sting, but they’re also highly aggressive. When disturbed, they swarm by the thousands, stinging as many times as it takes to eliminate any perceived threat.
• Odorous House Ants: Odorous house ants are not dangerous; they’re just a nuisance. But they live up to their name, emitting a putrid coconut smell when they’re frightened or crushed. They can’t hurt you, but they can stink up your home.
• Pharaoh Ants: Another invasive species, the pharaoh ant, hails from Africa and has hitchhiked around the world on human shipping routes. Pharaoh ants are dangerous because of the diseases they spread, including clostridium, salmonella, staph, and strep. Pharaoh ants don’t just contaminate food stores in residential areas; they also love to infest medical facilities and contaminate things like wounds and IV fluids.

Ant Pest Control And Prevention Tips

When it comes to ants, there is good news and bad news. The bad news is that ants are motivated to get into your home or business. There are too many goodies inside for them not to be tempted. The good news is there are things you can do to keep ants away:

1. Proper food and trash storage – Keep anything that could be edible to ants in hard containers with tightly fitting lids. This includes trash, pantry foods, and pet foods.
2. Adequate cleanup – Vacuum often to reduce crumbs that could attract ants. Never leave dirty dishes sitting around, not even in the sink. That includes pet food bowls. If you see a line of ants, disrupt their pheromone signals by spraying them with vinegar.
3. Physical barriers – Seal up any openings in your home that could provide access to ants. This includes cracks and holes in the foundation and siding, gaps under door sweeps, and rips or tears in window screens.
4. Professional help – Ant colonies can be difficult to eliminate on your own. They’re large, complex, and resilient. Some ant varieties can even create a new queen from their existing population if they lose the old one. That means you may need to bring out the big bug guns.

Here at Local Pest Control, we’ve got the solutions you need for effective, year-round pest control. We’ve been keeping area pests – including multiple ant varieties – at bay for over 15 years. Our family-owned and operated company prides itself on being the best that pest control in Sacramento has to offer. To learn more about our ant control options for your Sacramento business or year-round pest control plans, give us a call today!