Ant Identification & Prevention

Social insects that live together in large groups, ants are one of the most common household pests. They are frustrating to keep out of our homes because of their small size, ability to communicate by laying down pheromone trails, and desire to ensure the success of their colony. Ants that have found respite in our yards and homes and will take full advantage of the basic needs both offer.

Unfortunately for homeowners in Longview and throughout East Texas, two of the most common ants pose significant dangers.

Fire ants are super aggressive and work together as a team to defend each other and their nest. After coming into contact with fire ants and feeling pain, most people think they receive a fire ant "bite," but they were actually stung by these ants.

Fire ants have a stinger extending from their hind end to defend themselves by injecting venom. The stings are super painful, and the venom is potent enough to trigger serious allergic reactions in humans and animals. Avoid handling fire ants on your own by calling a fire ant control professional for assistance.

Carpenter ants aren't dangerous to people per se, but carpenter ants in our homes have the potential to cause significant damage to our property. When carpenter ants enter our houses and decide to stay and nest, they cause damage to structural wood. Unlike termites, carpenter ants don't eat wood but tunnel through it and create nesting galleries. Carpenter ants prefer water-damaged or decaying wood, so their presence in a home is often an indicator of a moisture issue that needs repair.

The good news when it comes to ants is that little black ants and most other species are more of a nuisance than a danger. We consider ants a problem because they spread bacteria to surfaces, contaminate food, and are an overall annoyance.

Ants live, nest, and forage for food all around us. They typically only become a problem once they set their sights on our yards and homes. These tiny insects have learned that wherever there are people, there is the potential for easy access to food, water, and shelter.

Once they discover your property offers easy access to their basic needs, they will keep returning, moving from their outdoor nesting sites to your home and back again. Sometimes, they build an indoor nesting site, allowing them to remain active (feeding and breeding) in your home year-round.

Ants are adaptable and thrive in many places, like the cracks of city sidewalks, the gardens surrounding our homes, fallen trees and tree stumps, and the dirt underneath our yards.

Ants are active during the day and make their presence well-known, crawling over sidewalks, decks, mulch, floors, and counters as they forage for food.

Ants are most attracted to food and moisture. Homeowners often discover ants gathering around leaky pipes, hoses, and dripping air conditioners. Food sources found in open trash cans, areas of compost, gardens, outdoor eating areas, and pet feeding stations keep ants returning day after day.

The best way to get rid of ants from your East Texas property is to partner with a local and experienced pest professional. Trust us at Gecko Pest Control with all your pest control needs.

With over 20 years in operation, we have developed a strong, lasting relationship with the communities we service and our customers. Our top goal is to give all our customers the "Gecko Experience," we provide professional services with a personal relationship!

Don't hesitate to contact us today to learn more about the ant control solutions we deliver through our home pest control plans or targeted fire ant control for your home.

We have compiled a list of our most helpful ant prevention tips to help stop ants from making it into your home and taking it over.

• Use silicone caulk or another suitable material to seal cracks, gaps, and other openings in your home's foundation.
• Make sure window and door screens and weatherstripping are all intact.
• Eliminate food sources that will attract ants to your property. Keep lids on trash cans, pick up pet food, and keep outdoor eating areas free of sticky spills and food debris.
• Regularly vacuum and mop your home to keep it free of food debris and eliminate the pheromone trails the ants have created.

In addition to the above tips, partnering with a professional and putting regular pest control services into place is the best defense against ants.

If you are ready to solve your property's ant problems, please call today to learn about local pest control in Longview, Texas.