ANTS

It's important to note that ant species may vary in different locations withing the Treasure Valley. Effective and control involves identifying the specific species and implementing targeted measures to address their habits and preferences. If you have specific concerns or require pest control, consulting with a local pest management professional like Pinnacle Pest Control is advisable.
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In the Treasure Valley you may encounter several common ant species. These include;
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Odorous house ants, known for their distinctive odor resembling rotten coconut or blue cheese when crushed, are a common household pest. These small ants, measuring around 2.4to 3.3 millimeters, are attracted to sweets and establish trails using pheromones. While not causing structural damage, their presence can lead to food contamination. Effective control involves sealing entry points, eliminating food sources, and using targeted ant baits. Regular maintenance and attention to potential nesting sites help minimize their impact in homes and businesses.

Concrete ants, also known as pavement ants, are common near concrete structures, nesting in cracks and gaps. Recognizable by their dark color and parallel lines, these ants are attracted to various foods. While not posing significant health risks, they can become a nuisance outdoors. Control measures include sealing cracks, eliminating food sources, and using ant bait strategically. Regular maintenance helps deter these ants from establishing persistent colonies.

Carpenter ants, are known for their larger size and preference for nesting in damp or decaying wood. Though they don't consume wood, their tunneling can compromise the integrity of structures. Effective control involves identifying and addressing water-damaged wood, sealing entry points, and targeted treatments to eliminate colonies, preserving the structural integrity of homes.

Little black ants and sugar ants are common household pests known for their small size and attraction to sweet substances. Little black ants are tiny black ants often found foraging indoors, They seek out sugary foods and can form trails leading to their nests. On the other hand the term"sugar ants" is a more general description for various ant species attracted to sweet foods. Effective control measures for both types involves eliminating food sources, sealing entry points, and using ant baits strategically places along their foraging paths. While not posing significant health risks, their presence can be a nuisance, especially in kitchens and food storage areas.

HOW WE TREAT For ants

Locate and Treat Outdoor Ant Mounds - If you were to kill 500 ants in your kitchen, you'd call that a good day, but that would only be removing about 10% of population of the colony growing in the soil at your home's foundation. Identifying the source of the ants and treating directly is where we will be most effective.

Spray Outdoor Perimeter - Treating the area where ants travel from their colony into your home ensures that whenever you see little ants marching, they are walking through our non-repellant residual product. It is effective even after it dries and lasts for up to 90 days. Regular treatments keep that product at maximum strength!

Indoors: Don't spray yourself! - You may have a can of pesticide in your home that says: kills 100's of different bugs, INCLUDING ANTS! Don't use it, though. We utilize a combination of ant-specific non-repellants and baits designed to draw foraging ants through our pesticide and track it back to the colony.

Foam and Dust Treatments - Advances in commercial-grade products mean we have multiple avenues from which to address any pest issue. Whether a foaming wall void service, or a dust application around your dishwasher, we can get ant treatment where it'll be most effective and least likely to be disturbed by cleaning.

PreventING ants BETWEEN SERVICES

Maintain Cleanliness:
-Regularly clean countertops, floors and other surfaces to remove food crumbs and spills.
-Wipe down surfaces where sweet substances might linger, attracting ants.

Dispose of Garbage Properly:
-Use sealed trash bins and take out the garbage regularly.
-Rinse containers before recycling to remove residual food.

Materials such as stacked or piled lumber, stones, bricks, leaf litter, heavy mulch, and other debris that serve as potential ant harborages should be removed as far from the structure as possible.

Vegetation such as tree branches, shrubs, or even weeds can serve as ant highways to your home. Trim back your foliage so nothing touches the structure.

Repair leaky pipes and faucets. Ants travel through walls by following electrical wiring or plumbing that pass through studs to areas like the bathroom and kitchen, which often have water or food sources that ants need.

CARPENTER ANTS

How To Prevent Carpenter Ants

Carpenter ants will infest sound wood, but it much easier for them to make their galleries in damp wood. Fix any leaking pipes or areas that accumulate water near wood (like untreated garden boxes, mulch, stumps, wooden sheds, or old fence posts).

Trim back tree limbs or shrubs that touch the house, especially the roof. Carpenter ants will climb off their vegetation straight onto your house.

Remove stumps and dying trees within 50 feet of the house/garage – these are perfect spots for new colonies to start.

Store firewood off the bare ground and away from the house. Where there's "wood to soil contact" you have a recipe for wood destroying organisms (i.e., Carpenter Ants).

Consider using stone or gravels instead of bare soil or mulch in areas where you have had problems with ants, or where ground moisture is a re-occurring problem.

Occasionally inspect older trees on your property. Carpenter ants like rotten wood they can easily bore through; knock on wood and listen for hollow sound, watch for ants moving around the tree, check for trails of ants nearby.