Ant Pest Control in Illinois
Many ant species call Illinois home, so your home or business could become a prime space to build a colony. Ants are social creatures that live together in large colonies, so they’re hard to miss, and these colonies can grow to exuberant sizes.
If you’re struggling with ants, turn to the experts at American Pest Control for top-quality ants and other pest control in Illinois.
Types of Ants and Signs of Infestation
Understanding what type of ant you are dealing with can help you plan effective treatment and prevention methods. In addition, termites and ants are often confused.
These are some of the most common species in Illinois.
Carpenter Ants
Carpenter ants are among the biggest species of ants in Illinois. They measure between ¼ to ¾ inches (25 to 75 millimeters). Coloring may be solid black or have a black midsection and reddish-brown head. They may also have wings if they are preparing to make a new colony.
Carpenter ants are the source of many infestation complaints for both residential and commercial property owners. Look for carpenter ants in the spring or summer.
Carpenter ants often find their way into your home when foraging for food. They use established foraging trails repeatedly to hunt for things like meat, eggs, sweets, and grease.
They may be near vents, baseboards, doors, or window molding. They favor damaged wood and insulation. However, unlike termites, carpenter ants do not eat wood. They like to burrow in for nesting.
Odorous House Ants
Ordorous house (sugar ants) are named for the distinct blue cheese or rotten coconut smell they give off when crushed. They are very small and dark brown in color. These ants are long-lived, very resilient, and hard to kill.
Odorous house ants in Illinois are most active during the rainy season and remain active 24 hours a day. They are looking for sugary sources of food and moisture, so you will find them in the areas in your home that provide these resources.
Pavement Ants
Pavement ants can vary from light brown to black. Their legs are lighter, and their heads are bigger than their bodies. They are very small, less than ⅛ inch in length (only about 3 millimeters).
Pavement ants make their homes in concrete areas such as driveways, patios, and sidewalks. They forage for sweets, other dead insects, and sources of protein. Pavement ants are most active at night.
Watch for them in your kitchen and bathrooms.
If you’ve seen one or two ants around your home, it’s a sign that more are coming. Ants leave a pheromone trail that attracts other ants. Because ants work primarily in groups, they’ll follow these trails into your property. Once they’ve set up a nest, worker ants will begin foraging your food to care for young ants and their queen.
As soon as you notice ants around your property, seek our professional ant infestation control service. We offer you a free quote!
Dangers of Ants in the Home
When you spot a couple of ants in your home, it may feel like it’s too early to be concerned, but it’s best not to wait. Ants hide well and reproduce quickly. Acting fast can prevent much bigger problems in the near future.
Ants cause all sorts of problems, including:
- Structural damage to your home
- Health issues
- Food contamination
- The spread of potentially harmful diseases
- The uncomfortable feeling pests give us when they invade our space
Don’t wait, call us today to eradicate the problem before it gets worse.
Ant Infestation Prevention
Take the following measures to help prevent ant invasions that are common in Illinois.
- Keep gutters and downspouts in good repair. Avoid standing water and moisture problems.
- Store food in tightly sealed containers.
- Don’t store firewood or extra soil close to your home.
- Remove rotting wood and dead trees.
- Clean up food spills right away.
- Repair damaged wood and seal cracks.
How to Get Rid of an Ant Infestation
There are common insect sprays and a few homemade ant remedies that might be helpful for preventing infestations. But these options are only temporary solutions.
When you have an ant infestation, you really need to contact the experts. At American Pest Control, our team of professionals knows how to deal with any type of ant infestation in Illinois. Whether you need fire ant, black ant, or carpenter ant pest control, we can help. Once we identify the type of ants you are dealing with, we’ll use our vast knowledge and resources to target your problem with environmentally friendly, integrated pest control methods.
We will deal with the current ant infestation and work with you to permanently eliminate the problem.
Ant Pest Control in Illinois
Ants are some of the hardest creatures to kill—their size alone can help them go undetected for long periods. Additionally, most ant colonies can range in number from a few hundred ants to tens of thousands. Depending on the species of ant you’re struggling with, eradication may be difficult without a professional’s help.
Some of the biggest reasons you need professional ant extermination include:
- Professionals know exactly what type of pest control is most effective on which species of ant.
- A professional exterminator can quickly identify different species, ensuring the infestation is addressed and taken care of.
- DIY ant control only provides temporary relief. Professional ant infestation control in Illinois ensures that current pests are eliminated and don’t return.
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Schedule Professional Ant Pest Control Today
To learn more about safe and effective ant control in Central Illinois, contact us! Whether you’re dealing with pests in the home or in a commercial setting, our experts will completely terminate the ants in your home and keep them from coming back.
Call (800) 560-4250 to speak with a representative near you today. We’ll provide you with a free quote so you can get started with removing your pest problem!
