P.O. Box 14851
Haltom City, TX 76117
ph: 817-907-6183
alt: 817-914-2037
bluediam
Extermination and Control of Common Ants
Ants are members of order Hymenoptera, and thus are most closely related to wasps and bees. Like most other members of this order, ants are highly advanced insects with organized colonies and a clear division of labor. Control methods vary according to the specie, but we approach all ant extermination jobs with the environment in mind, using only the most earth-friendly products and application methods available.
There are many species of ants, but the ones below represent the species most commonly encountered in the Greater Dayton, Ohio area.
Carpenter ants take their name from their habit of chewing passageways (called "galleries") inside wood. Carpenter ants don't actually eat the wood. Rather, they carve out galleries where they live and raise their young. (The carpenter ant in the picture on the right is a carrying a piece of granular bait back to her colony.)
Carpenter ants grow to a larger size than almost any other specie in the ant family. They're certainly the biggest ants found in the Dayton area, or anywhere in Ohio for that matter. Most carpenter ants found in our region are black or very dark brown in color.
Over time, untreated carpenter ant infestations can do serious damage to homes and other wooden structures. Unlike termite galleries, carpenter ant galleries are sanded smooth and kept clean. Carpenter ants thrive in warm, damp locations and prefer wood that already has been damaged by moisture.
These are the common house ants which nest in woodwork, masonry, soil and rotted wood. They're omnivores who typically feed on sweets, meats, vegetables, honeydew and other insects.
House ants usually are found in kitchens, around exterior doors and windows, on patios, and in other areas near sources of food and moisture.
Pharaoh ants are a serious nuisance in homes, hospitals, rest homes, apartment dwellings, hotels, grocery stores, and food establishments. These tiny ants feed on nearly anything, and have been found infesting surgical wounds, I.V. glucose solutions, and sealed packs of sterile dressing in hospitals.
Pharaoh ants can be notoriously challenging to control. Conventional ant control methods using repellent chemical sprays and dusts usually only make pharaoh ant problems worse. Proper control requires specialized products and precise application methods.
Although mainly an outdoor ant specie, odorous house ants often forage indoors for sweets and other foods. They're commonly found in kitchens, dining rooms, family rooms, children's playrooms, and anywhere else sweet food sources (such as soft drink spills or dropped candy) can be found. They give off an unpleasant odor when crushed, hence their name. Many people describe the odor as similar to "rotten coconuts."
Crazy ants will feed on sweets and kitchen scraps, but they prefer animal matter and insects such as fly larvae and adults. They can be found anywhere near a suitable food source. Their common name, "crazy ants," derives from their habit of moving around in what looks like an aimless manner.
For help exterminating ants, or for any pest control problem, contact Blue Diamond Pest Services. Serving the Greater Fort Worth and Surrounding Areas.
Copyright 2014 Blue Diamond Pest Services. All rights reserved.
P.O. Box 14851
Haltom City, TX 76117
ph: 817-907-6183
alt: 817-914-2037
bluediam