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Ants
There are many species of
house-infesting nuisance ants common to the Midwest. The most common are:
pavement ants, field ants, citronella ants, and pharaoh ants. Ants are
very social insects that live in colonies and are divided into castes
(specialized groups that take care of specific tasks). There are
reproductive castes, the queens and males, and non-reproductive castes, the
workers.
Queens:
Usually larger than the largest
individual in the colony. She has wings until after her mating flight and
her primary function is laying eggs.
Males:
Also
winged, their only function is to mate with the queen.
Workers:
Sterile
and wingless, the workers are responsible for nest building, defending the nest,
and caring and feeding of all the other colony members.
Most ants establish new
colonies by swarming. Normally in the spring and summer, mature ant
colonies generate large numbers of winged ants (males and young queens) in hopes
of establishing new colonies and are often times confused with swarmer
termites. To see the difference, click on the
"do
you know the difference" picture
on our termite page.
Control Procedures
Most ant problems can be
controlled through the use of baits or sprays. Baits (when applicable) are
the most efficient means of control, because the baits are carried back and fed
to the other members of the colony, resulting in colony elimination.
Winged reproductives are not interested in eating and must be controlled with
liquid formulations and/or dusts.
Pharaoh Ants:
Pharaoh
ants are very small yellow ants that move along electrical wires, so are
commonly seen around switch plates, electrical outlets, where wires enter walls,
and around appliances. If you think you have Pharaoh ants, do
not spray them with liquid pesticides! When
sprayed or otherwise disturbed Pharaoh ant colonies split-up and disperse,
forming smaller colonies in many different areas (this process is called
budding). Pharaoh ants must be eliminated by using specific baits and
targeting the areas where they are active.
If you are experiencing
problems with any type of household nuisance ant please call us at Monroe Pest
Control Company, Inc. for a
free inspection and estimate!
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