Most Common Ants In Lake County, FL

Sharing food has been a staple of society for as far back as history can tell. Chances are you shared food with someone this week. Maybe it was at a party where there was pizza for everyone to split, or perhaps you shared a bag of popcorn with a friend at the movie theater. You may have even shared food with someone and not even known it. Look at ants, for instance. Ants share food with humans every day by sneaking into their homes and scavenging whatever you haven't eaten. They find scraps under your sofa and leftover desserts on the counter; they even share your pet's food. Of course, you don't want to be sharing your food with ants. To combat ants around your home, here are some of the most common ant species you should know about, and some methods to stop them.

White-footed Ants: White-footed ants are aptly named for their white feet. This pest ant does not bite or sting and is incapable of causing any serious harm. When inside homes, white-footed ants are most commonly found inside kitchens and bathrooms.
 
Ghost Ants: Ghost ants are one of the smaller species of ant here in Lake County, and identified by their deep dark brown thoraxes and opaque or milky white legs. Colonies of ghost ants typically build their nests outside of homes and then venture inside to hunt for food.
 
Fire Ants: Fire ants are one of the more dangerous species of ant here in Lake County and are identifiable by their red to brown body color and black rear section. This species of ant is rarely found inside homes but is a huge problem outdoors in that they can bite, sting, and destroy the grass. If you are allergic to insect venom, an attack from these tiny ankle-biters can be extremely dangerous.
 
Rover Ants: Rover ants are fairly small and typically brown and have tiny hairs across their bodies. It is not uncommon for this ant species to build their nests within the walls of homes and scavenge for food indoors.
 
Carpenter Ants: Carpenter ants are known for being the largest species of ant in North America and are identifiable by their red, black, or red and black bodies. Unlike other ant species who build their nests deep underground, carpenter ants prefer to make their homes out of a solid wood structure. If a home's structural wood has water-damage, rot, or decay, carpenter ants will look for any opportunity possible to invade and build a nest there. In addition to this, carpenter ants are common food scavengers, meaning on top of destroying homes, they also like to steal food.
 
Bigheaded Ants: As their name would suggest, bigheaded ants have big heads, or at least their soldiers do. This ant species is typically tan to brown and has long sparse hairs across their bodies. Like many of their close relatives, bigheaded ants are commonly known for invading homes in search of food, water, and shelter.
 
Caribbean Crazy Ants: Crazy ants get their name from the erratic way they move when threatened and is the best way to identify this tiny invader. When inside homes, crazy ants will search for scraps of food or water to drink.

9 Prevention Tips For Ants

• Seal gaps and cracks in your home's exterior foundation using a caulking gun.
• Repair or replace any torn window or door screens around your house.
• Fix damaged weatherstripping and door sweeps.
• Reduce moisture in and around your home.
• Keep your yard and landscaping well-maintained.
• Avoid feeding your pets outdoors.
• Store leftover foods inside airtight containers.
• Make sure all of your trash cans have tight-fitting lids.
• Invest in professional pest control services.

 For the absolute best pest control for your Lake County, FL home, trust the professionals here at Pest Ref Services. We have the tools and experience needed to keep your home free of unwanted pests, including ants. Give us a call today to find out more about our ant control services or to schedule a service visit.