Ant Identification & Prevention

As mentioned above, there are many ant species in our area; some of the most common are:

• Fire Ants
• Pavement Ants
• Big-Headed Ants
• Acrobat Ants
• Ghost Ants
• Carpenter Ants
• Odorous House Ants
• Argentine Ants 
• Pharaoh Ants
• Little Black Ants

Each type of ant will vary in size, color, and demeanor as some are more aggressive than others. Still, they are all social insects living in large colonies with many individuals, each with their role as queens, male reproductives, and workers, who are sterile females.

Most ant species, including pavement ants, little black ants, and Argentine ants, aren't considered dangerous but instead are nuisance pests. At the same time, some nuisance pests can cause some concerns, like the rotting coconut odor produced by odorous house ants when crushed or the damage big-headed ants can cause to house plants when feeding.

In contrast, ghost ants can bite but aren't aggressive, but fire ants are and can sting and bite. And carpenter ants are wood-destroying insects that don't feed on wood but nest inside of it.

While it may vary slightly depending on the species, most ants make their way into homes when they are searching for food sources. Commonly, ants are attracted to sugary foods, so you could have them in your home if there is access to crumbs, open food containers, garbage, and other food residues.

Ants can be found just about anywhere on a residential property, depending on the species. Often, they gravitate toward kitchens and eating areas because of the many available food sources.

Fire ants don't usually make their way inside but are an issue outside because they prefer open, sunny areas and not shady ones like other ants. In contrast, carpenter ants love weathered and water-damaged wood, where they tunnel and build nests, but they will still look for sugary foods to feed.

You can work with our expertly trained service team members at B&T Pest Control for effective ant control. To learn about your specific pest problems and concerns, we start with an in-depth inspection of the interior and exterior of your home. We will identify conducive conditions, entry points, and other factors contributing to pests.

Then, we'll perform the necessary interior treatments to eliminate existing critters and exterior treatments to prevent future ones. Our treatments are custom, and we use pet and family-friendly products tested and approved by the EPA.

We offer different recurring pest plans you can choose from to best protect your home against ants, so call us at B&T Pest Control to hear about your home pest control options.

To prevent future infestations of ants in your Jacksonville home, you should use these ant prevention tips:

• Remove entry points by inspecting the exterior of your home for cracks and crevices where ants can enter.
• Remove food sources by cleaning up crumbs, storing food correctly, and securing garbage cans.
• Eliminate moisture by keeping your yard clear of organic debris and repairing leaking pipes and faucets.

Don't forget to contact us at B&T Pest Control to learn more about our ant control solutions and how you can work with us for ongoing pest control in Jacksonville.