Many ant species build their nests outdoors and become a nuisance once they start to forage for food inside of a home. Other ant species will enter a building and build a nest, thus becoming permanent residents. Ants are commensal pests, meaning they like to live close to people and eat some of the same things: sweets, meats, starches, and liquids.

Ants that invade a home can pose an indirect threat to your health. Since ants crawl around in many spaces, they are susceptible to picking up germs, such as E. coli, and can deposit them in food.

Ant removal should be handled by a professional. While there are many Do-It-Yourself methods, not all ants respond to these treatments. Correct identification is crucial, as different ant species exhibit different behaviors. At Dodson Pest Control, our technicians are trained to handle the various types of ants and their habits, and have the knowledge necessary to effectively treat the issue.

There are several measures you can take to prevent ants from invading your home:

• Limit moisture—Ants need moisture to survive. Fix any water leaks and make sure gutters and downspouts direct rain away from your house.
• Keep things clean—Remove food particles from kitchen surfaces. Avoid leaving dirty dishes in the sink overnight. Empty your trash regularly. Keep food stored in airtight containers. If cooking outdoors, clean the grill thoroughly and remove any food particles from the area.
• Seal your house—Ants enter homes through small gaps. Seal any holes, doorways, and cracks that are exposed to the outdoors. Pay close attention to gaps around pipes or conduits when they enter the house. Keep tree limbs trimmed away from your house as ants can also use them as an entry method.
• Remove harborage—Remove any rock piles, boards, wood piles, or other debris from around the home.

Flying ants, or alates, as entomologists refer to them, are simply ants that are sexually mature. These are the ‟reproductives” of the colony, created by the queen and fed by the workers; they mature inside the colony. Once the colony is ready to expand, the winged ants fly out with one goal: to mate. After mating, the male ants die and the fertilized female searches for a nesting site. When she finds a place that meets her needs, she will break off her wings and never fly again. This new queen will then begin her own colony.