If you have lived in the Nashville, Tennessee area, you are well aware that this part of the country has more than its fair share of ants. They are problematic for reasons beyond their unpleasant aesthetic. They carry and spread disease, cause damage to local homes, sabotage food, and contaminate the surfaces they come in contact with.
DIY Ant Removal Does Not Work
If you suspect ants have moved into your home, the problem will not solve itself. This is a time for assistance from the pest control professionals at Defender Pest Control. Our strategic pest elimination methods prove much more useful than any spray or trap available at the local store.
Anyone who has attempted to deal with this pest in a do-it-yourself manner likely found that such remedies have had minimal impact. The best strategy is to rely on our team to address this problem head-on. We can eliminate the annoying pests from your home and provide you with a prevention plan.
Carpenter Ants
Carpenter Ants are particularly problematic for local home and business owners as they can cause significant structural damage to buildings. Larger than most other ants, they are typically black yet sometimes have a red hue and are found both indoors and out. This insect gravitates toward decaying or moist wood and consumes food that tastes sweet as well as on fellow insects. There is a common misconception that wood is a staple of the Carpenter Ant diet. However, in reality, they do not actually eat wood. Rather, they chew through wood to form nests. If you are suspicious they are on your property, they should be dealt with as soon as possible. Ignore this looming problem, and the infestation will likely spur extensive and expensive damage to your home’s wooden structures.
Pharaoh Ants
Pharaoh Ants have a body with a yellow hue along with black and red markings on the abdomen. They are quite small yet can pose a big risk to your home or business. Unfortunately, they can live through the winter in a home or business’s heating system. In fact, Pharaoh Ants can even move their nests after being disturbed, making them much more challenging to locate and eliminate. Their nests are typically positioned behind walls, beneath floors, within cabinets, and in other places rarely frequented by humans. They can spread diseases ranging from staphylococcus to clostridium and salmonella. Clostridium is particularly dangerous as it has the potential to cause botulism.
Odorous House Ants
Odorous House Ants have small black or brown bodies that often emit coconut-like scents when crushed. They typically enter homes and buildings after a period of rain, looking for sweets, grease, and meat. You might spot them in this food search. Some species will swarm, looking to mate and generate a new colony in the summer. However, pinpointing Odorous House Ant nests can be quite challenging.
Contact us for assistance with your ant or other pest problem.