Getting Rid Of Ants, The Most Common HomeInvader (NAPSA)—When the weather temperature rises, homeowners are morelikely to see an increase in pest activity—the most common are ant infestations. A research study conducted by the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) shows that 25 percent of homeowners say ants are their main pest concern. This same study revealed that more than half of all homeowners have had problems with ants— making them the most prevalent pest nationwide. In addition to being a general nuisance, these bothersomepests can cause significant damage in your home by destroying wood and contaminating yourfood. Although encountering an ant infestation can be unnerving,it is important to deal with the problem quickly and effectively. The first step is to properly identify which ant species is present in the home. Most ants thrive in warm and moist conditions and can be controlled with cleaning methods and bait systems. In somecases, the only way to completely remediate an ant infestation is to promptly locate and remove the identified species’ nests. Some of the most common homeinvaders include: Odorous House Ants: These ants get their name from the unpleasant odor they give off when crushed. It’s often described as smelling like a rotten coconut. They typically nest in wall voids and crevices and prefer sweet foods. Pharaoh Ants: Pharaoh ants also prefer sweets, but also consume grease and even shoepolish. They live in extremely large colonies and keep warm nearartificial heating sources like base- gnificant dam- age in your home by destroying woodand contaminating food. board heaters and ovens. Carpenter Ants: This species hollows out nests in both dry and moist wood, though they prefer the latter. They can be particularly hard to remove from the home since their nests can be more difficult to locate. Fire Ants: At least 32 deaths in the U.S. can be attributed to severe allergic reactions to fire ant stings each year. Fire ants can chew through the insulation around electrical wiring and have also been knownto kill small animals. They currently infest 14 states throughout the Southeastern U.S. Pest professionals can identify particular ant species and other pests in the home, treat to remove them and can recommend steps homeowners can take to prevent reinfestation. For more information on ants and pest prevention tips, visit www.pestworld.org.
