You spot a trail of ants marching across your kitchen counter and think, “They’re just a nuisance, right?” Not so fast. While ants might seem harmless compared to other pests, some species can pose serious risks if left unchecked. At Wagner Pest Solutions, we believe that understanding the potential dangers of ants is the first step toward keeping your home safe and pest-free.
Can Ants Make You Sick?
Most ants won’t bite or sting, but certain species (like fire ants) can be aggressive and deliver painful stings that cause allergic reactions. Even non-biting ants can spread bacteria, contaminating your food and food-prep surfaces as they search for something sweet or greasy to eat. In other words, that trail of ants isn’t just inconvenient; it could be unsanitary.
Can They Damage Your Home?
Some ants, such as carpenter ants, are more than a kitchen intruder. They can tunnel through wood, damaging your home’s structural integrity over time. This type of destruction often happens behind the scenes, so by the time you notice the problem, significant repairs may be needed.
Why Are They So Hard to Get Rid Of?
Once ants find a reliable food or water source, they leave scent trails that guide their colony back to it again and again. This means that without proper treatment, DIY efforts, like wiping counters or using store-bought sprays, often only scratch the surface. You may kill a few workers, but the colony itself remains active and ready to send in reinforcements.
What Can You Do to Prevent Them?
The best way to prevent ant problems is to eliminate entry points and remove sources of attraction. That means you should consider sealing cracks, fixing leaky faucets, and keeping food sealed and stored properly. But when ants have already settled in, professional pest control is the most effective way to target the entire colony and prevent future infestations.
What Else Should You Watch Out For?
While ants are a common concern, they’re often just one of several pests threatening your home. That’s why Wagner Pest Solutions offers a full range of services, including termite inspections, bee control, and mosquito control, to help keep your property safe year-round. Don’t wait until ants become a bigger problem. Contact us at (623) 466-6752 to request our services, and let’s keep your Glendale, AZ, home pest-free and protected.