Heading to Lake Norman State Park is a great way to spend a full day of outdoor activities for the whole family. Take a dip in the lake along the 125-yard-long sand beach, paddleboard on the crystal clear water, or enjoy casting a line on the fishing pier. End the day with a lovely picnic and a view of the gorgeous North Carolina sunset. There are lots of ways to enjoy the great outdoors in Mooresville, NC. However, nothing ruins a beautiful day at the lake like discovering that hundreds of ants have descended into your kitchen. As much as they are a tremendous nuisance, they can also, at times, be unavoidable. They can carry bacteria into your home and contaminate food or cooking areas. At one time or another, many homeowners will experience the seemingly endless battle of trying to keep them under control.
Description Of Ants In Mooresville
From living in North Carolina, you know that one of the most annoying and common household pests is the ant. Regardless of your best efforts, these pests always seem to find a way into your kitchen and home and can be a nightmare to get rid of. But, luckily for you, getting rid of an ant infestation doesn't have to break the bank! Because of the unique terrain in North Carolina, including the coast, piedmont, and mountains, there are quite a few different types of ants.
That being said, these are the most popular types of ants in North Carolina:
Acrobat Ants: Acrobat ants are light brown to black and are relatively small in length, usually measuring 1/8" to 3/8". Acrobat ants have an abdomen that resembles a heart when looked down upon. They possess a stinger, and their antennae are 11-segment with a 3-segmented club.
Argentine Ants: Argentine ant workers are typically light to dark brown in color and range between 2.2 to 2.8 mm long. They are wingless with a 12-segmented antenna and emit a musty odor when crushed. Queens are slightly larger than workers, measuring between 4 to 6 mm long. Reproductives (queens and males) may have wings.
Carpenter Ants: The carpenter ant is the most prevalent species of ant in Mooresville. They are typically larger than other ants and grow to be between 3.5 to 13mm in length, and are reddish or black. They are most often found outdoors, especially when wet or decaying wood is available because they tunnel into the wood to build their nests. Despite common myths, while carpenter ants are attracted to wood, they do not use it as a food source. Instead, they are attracted to sweets. If you think you have a carpenter ant infestation, it's crucial to deal with them as soon as possible. They can cause a significant amount of damage to your home, deck, porch, or any wooden structure on your property.
Fire Ants: Fire ants are black and red and have six legs. The worker ants are copper brown, have round heads and an armored thorax midsection. They possess an abdominal stinger that they use to inject the victim with alkaloid venom, resulting in red welts and bumps combined with a burning sensation. Some victims may experience an allergic reaction.
As you can see, North Carolina has quite a few different types of ant species. Some of them are more of a nuisance than others, and some can even give you a nasty sting. So you need to know which species you're dealing with before trying to get rid of them!
Why DIY Solutions Don't Work
When it comes to ant infestations, it's complicated to get rid of them on your own. Not only can ants be annoying and unsightly, but they can also create unsanitary conditions and cause damage. So often, Mooresville homeowners attempt to deal with eradicating ants themselves, not understanding that the ants you see only makeup 15% of the entire ant population. Ants can build large colonies all over your property, including your yard, gardens, trees, and inside your home's walls or under concrete slabs. Ants frequently enter your kitchen and contaminate food and can also cause structural damage. Attempting to deal with the problem on your own will cost you lots of money without a long-term solution to the infestation. Can after can of OTC ant sprays and traps will waste your money and not take care of the entire colony. In addition, these products can be dangerous to your families and pets.
Prevention Tips For Keeping Ants Off Of Your Mooresville Property
Don't waste your time with ant bait, sprays, and traps that are poisonous or dangerous to pets and people and can be ineffective and unlikely to rid your property complete of a large number of ants. While you should leave the treatment of active ant infestations to the professionals, there are a few tips you can follow to prevent future infestation of your Mooresville home.
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Remove all ant trails you see.
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Watch for scout ants and eliminate them immediately.
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Seal all openings in your home to prevent ants from entering your home.
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Keep all food sealed and your home clean.
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Keep food sources such as pet foods off the ground as often as possible to avoid attracting ants to this small amount of food.
Contact Lake Norman Pest Control For Your Ant Infestation
If you have problems with ants around or inside your Mooresville home, give Lake Norman Pest Control a call today. Our professional pest control experts have the tools and knowledge necessary to get rid of your ant problem today. At Lake Norman Pest Control, we offer residential and commercial services, customer care that goes above and beyond, and licensed pest management technicians. So let us help you get rid of your pests today; contact us now!
