Ants in The House: Understanding The Risks And Health Concerns In Crawfordville

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Ants are mysterious pests that can show up out of nowhere. One day, you may see no ants in your home at all. Then, the next day, you see several hundred ants swarming around a cookie crumb that you accidentally left on your countertop. 

If ants are sharing a living space with you and your family, you could be in danger of contracting various illnesses. At Florida Sun Termite and Pest, our Crawfordville ant control experts understand that ant infestations can cause stress and anxiety in many homeowners. We can help you find the best strategies to eliminate and prevent ants in your home. 

Types Of Ants: Understanding Common Ant Species

You may be surprised to know there are over 12,000 different types of ants worldwide. Luckily, we don't have to deal with nearly that many in this part of Florida. Still, our ant exterminators regularly encounter several types of ants in this area. Some of the most common ants in Crawfordville include:

  • Big-headed ants: Some of these ants have heads that are bigger than their bodies and shaped like a heart. They can come in various colors, including black, red, or brown. 

  • Fire ants: These ants can be red, black, or black and red. They usually build large outdoor colonies. Sometimes, their mounds can measure over two feet wide and reach several feet underground. 

  • Carpenter ants: This is one of the largest ant species in this area. They can measure anywhere from a 1/4 to 1/2 an inch long.  Carpenter ants tend to nest inside various wooden surfaces. 

  • Sugar ants: These ants have small black or dark-brown bodies. 

An ant exterminator can help you understand what type of ant is in your house.  Once you know what type of ant you are dealing with, you are more likely to eliminate it for good. 

Ant Problems: Health Concerns And Property Damage

The ants in this area can be exceptionally problematic if they come into your home. Some species can carry a variety of diseases that they can pass on to you and your family if they are able to contaminate your food. Some of the illnesses that ants are known to cause include salmonellosis, staph infections, and streptococcus. 

Fire ants are also a problem. These aggressive ants can bite and sting you at the same time if you get too close to their nests. Some people can develop allergic reactions to a fire ant sting.

Carpenter ants are the most destructive type of ant that we have here. These ants tend to live in extremely large groups and will build their nests inside almost any wooden surface. Unfortunately, this could be bad news for your home. Our ant extermination team has seen large carpenter ant colonies cause expensive and noticeable damage to some homes in this area. 

Keep Ants Out Of Your Home: Effective Prevention Tips

Ants are attracted to all types of food and water. To keep ants out of your home, make sure to keep your home tidy and don´t leave food out. To keep ants from building nests in your yard, keep your property well-maintained and mow your grass regularly. Teaming up with a local ant control company is also a great way to stop ants from invading your home.

Expert Ant Control: Call Us At The First Sign of Ants In The House

Ants are difficult to eliminate if you have no experience with ant control. At Florida Sun Termite and Pest, we know the best way to keep ants away forever. Our family-owned company has provided home pest control in Crawfordville for over 17 years. Give us a call today to schedule your inspection and become one step closer to having an ant-free home.