A Pharaoh ant isn't much to look at. This little ant is only 1/16 of an inch long. But it isn't a coincidence that it got its name from a man who played a role in the plagues of Egypt found in the Bible. If you know the story of Moses and Pharaoh, you know that those plagues were pretty bad. It stands to reason that these ants must be pretty bad to have had someone call them Pharaoh ants.
What makes them so bad? It mostly has to do with their persistence and numbers. Pharaoh ant colonies have multiple queens. When a nest is disturbed, the colonies split into multiple colonies. As you can imagine, things can get out of hand when improper ant pest control in Tampa is used to deal with these ants. Let's look at what works best.
What Attracts Pharaoh Ants?
The first step in ant pest control is to remove attractants that bring pests onto your property and near your home. What attracts Pharaoh ants?
- A weed problem. If Pharaoh Ants are on a neighboring property and worker ants detect flowering weeds in your yard, they're going to move in. Flowers have a sweet food source called nectar, and bees aren't the only insects that like it.
- Brush piles, stacked wood, leaves, and other organic debris. These ants explore these organic landscapes in search of insects both alive and dead. They also find these to be humid habitats, which is a preference. Keep on top of yard work. Move wood and other organic piles away from your home.
- Moisture problems. If you have a damp perimeter, Pharaoh Ants will feel right at home. Clean your gutters and fix any damaged areas. Remove vegetation from your landscaping to create open, dry spaces. When you address moisture, it will help deter aphids which produce another sweet food source that Pharaoh Ants love called honeydew.
- The scent of garbage. An open trash receptacle, or a dirty receptacle, can lure ants to your home. Make sure to remove trash weekly and to keep your trash in covered containers. If you miss getting your trash to the curb, disinfect your receptacle to remove the odor once your trash has finally been taken.
If you address these attractants, you're not guaranteed to keep these ants away, but you're going to get a lot of protection - and not just from Pharaoh Ants. These attractants lure a wide range of pests onto your property and near to your Tampa home.
Why Are There Pharaoh Ants On My Tampa Property?
The process of a colony splitting into multiple colonies is called budding. When budding occurs, new nests are created. This causes the colonies to cover a lot more ground than the single colony could have, which can cause a colony on a neighboring property to spread into your yard.
The Best Way To Deter Pharaoh Ants
When you remove attractants, you'll reduce ant activity, but Pharaoh ants will still be able to come into your yard and get into your home. Natural ant control in your yard will only help you so much. Here are a few tips to give you the best ant deterrence possible:
Trim bushes and remove vegetation near your foundation walls.
Use a caulking gun to seal gaps around utilities.
Replace weatherstripping and door sweeps on exterior doors.
Replace damaged screens and damaged frames on doors and windows.
Seal cracks in your foundation.
Use screen material to cover ventilation exhaust.
Outdoor ant control is the best way to prevent indoor problems. When you use ant deterrence, you can bring ant problems well below your threshold of comfort and make indoor sightings extremely rare.
Getting Rid Of Pharaoh Ants Permanently
There is a difference between ant deterrence and ant control. Methods that deter ants work organically to reduce ant activity and prevent ants from getting inside. We recommend these methods to homeowners because they can provide a great level of control without causing budding to occur.
When you want control of ants, it is best to contact a licensed pest provider for ant control solutions. The products used by a licensed applicator are known to work against these ants. If you're in Tampa, reach out to us here at Haskell Termite & Pest Control for effective ant control.
We offer treatments that arrest indoor infestation, and we can give you options for year-round pest control that will work to permanently get rid of Pharaoh ants in your home. Year-round pest control also gives you protection from a long list of other pests that can make you sick, damage your home, or damage your belongings. Pharaoh ants may be a plague, but these are not the worst pests we have in Tampa. Contact Haskell Termite & Pest Control today.
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