Ant Control in Houston Texas

Ants are one of the most difficult pests to control and represent approximately 65% of the local pest control industry’s service calls. There are 8 – 10 species we will address here as they represent roughly 95% of the service calls for ants by pest control operators in our area. Ants may appear cute until you learn a little more about their social nature. Ants share food with one another via “trophallaxis” (mouth to mouth feeding) and because of this could transmit the pathogens from the filth they pick up in their travels. They may also deposit their waste on food preparation areas or even into your stored food itself. For these reasons alone steps should be taken immediately upon being discovered.

*It’s important to remember that the ant colony trailing on the bathroom floor is the same ant colony on your kitchen counter.

Ants are “social insects” and evolve through a “complete life cycle” (egg, larvae, pupa and adult). The colonies are divided into castes of workers (sterile females – majority of the colony), queens (reproductive females) and drones (reproductive males). Generally speaking ants will prefer foods high in proteins during times of high egg production for the queens, sugars and greases will be gathered to promote larval development or to satisfy the energy needs of the workers. Because there are so many ant species and because their preferences change quite frequently we may never have a single bait that is universally accepted and effective.

Each species is unique and enjoys certain feeding, nesting and travel patterns making it imperative your technician be well trained and experienced to achieve control. One wrong step with some of these species and the problem is simply magnified. Furthermore, ant control with one species may not mean the same thing with another species.

* CAUTION: Don’t spray or kill by any other means the foraging ants you see on the countertops or on your floors as this may cause “budding” within the colony. Budding is the process whereby the colony looses enough “workers” to cause stress. Once this occurs the multiple queens within the colony will gather as many workers and separate from the main colony to an alternate or satellite colony location. At this point you have a much more difficult problem and it will not get better by itself. At the very least a combination of non-repellant baits and in some cases non-repellant sprays (strategically placed) by trained professionals will solve the problem.

LITTLE BLACK ANT

SIZE: 1/15th” Long

COLOR: Jet Black

NESTING: Usually outdoors in mulched beds and potted plants but also commonly found in rotten wood, cavities of masonry and the cracks & crevices of woodwork.

FOODS: Sweets, meats, breads, grease, vegetables & fruits.

STRUCTURAL INVASION: Very large colonies will find their way into a structure on foraging missions and will occasionally take up permanent residence if the environment is just right.

CONTROL: Heavy perimeter sprays along with indoor bait placements, non-repellant sprays and crack & crevice dusts. Don’t spray it yourself! This will only make it go away temporarily while the problem gets worse.

CRAZY ANT

SIZE: 1/10th” Long

COLOR: Dark Brown

NESTING: These ants will nest in most any void of and forage long distances from the said site.

FOODS: Animal matter, grease, other insects and most sweets.

STRUCTURAL INVASION: Since they will nest in most any void they can be a real nuisance in virtually any building. Typical invasions are centered around water sources including any point of condensation.

CONTROL: Heavy perimeter sprays along with indoor bait placements, non-repellant sprays and crack & crevice dusts. Don’t spray it yourself! This will only make it go away temporarily while the problem gets worse.

THEIF ANT

SIZE: 1/25th” Long (very small)

COLOR: yellow to dark brown

NESTING: They usually nest outdoors but may nest in the cracks and crevices of walls or cabinets or even beneath/behind kitchen countertops and backsplashes, especially tile. This ant is very persistent and difficult to control. This ant commonly lives within the nest of other ants while feeding on the larvae of its host, thus the name “Thief Ant”.

FOODS: Greasy materials such as meats, cheese, bacon, ham and other prepared meats are especially attractive to this species.

STRUCTURAL INVASION: Because this ant is so small it can go undetected. It has the ability to navigate in the tightest of spaces including under kitchen sinks where they make contact with the countertops. Beware the unobservant homeowner who complains of the flavor of bread or other stored foods, not realizing it has been tainted by these ants.

CONTROL: Indoor bait placements with non-repellant sprays.

ARGENTINE ANT

SIZE: 1/12th” to 1/8th” long   (queen is much larger: 1/6th” to 1/4th” long)

COLOR: Light to dark brown

NESTING: They prefer moist soil next to or under structures, along sidewalks and occasionally under abandoned boards.

FOODS: They enjoy sweets, syrups, sugars, fruit juices and honey dew.

STRUCTURAL INVASION: Mainly considered to forage inside homes preferring to nest outdoors. They can be troublesome during periods of excess heat, drought or too much rain.

CONTROL: Indoor bait placements with non-repellant sprays and a heavy perimeter spray. Call today for a professional consultation and get your house back!

PHARAOH ANT

SIZE: 1/15th” to 1/12th” Long

COLOR: Light Yellowish to Reddish brown

NESTING: The nest is rarely if ever actually found making it extremely difficult to control. They will nest almost anywhere – between walls, above ceilings, beneath floors, behind baseboards, behind switch plates, in old trash, in folded linens or even outside in gardens, mulched beds and even along walkways.

FOODS: Almost anything! Some items known to be on their menu are syrups, fruit juices, honey, jelly, cakes, pies, greases,

dead insects, meats and blood.

STRUCTURAL INVASION: This little ant can become a nightmare for some structures. Budding is very common with untrained applicators or “do it yourself” property owners. Due to the nesting habits noted above they will locate nearly anywhere in a structure setting up “satellite colonies” if the conditions become unfavorable or stressful at their preferred nest site. They can and will last longer than some home owners.

CONTROL: Baits, Baits and more baits! A perimeter spray can be useful in some instances if it is a non-repellant. Don’t spray it yourself! This will only make it go away temporarily while the problem gets worse.

RED IMPORTED FIRE ANT

SIZE: 1/15th” to 1/4th” Long

COLOR: Dark Reddish brown

NESTING: This ant nests in the soil and makes a characteristic earthen mound. They are prevalent in local lawns, pastures, cemeteries, parks, athletic fields and even school grounds. Colonies can reach 500,000 workers and will forage a radius up to 100 yards from the nest. They have been known to nest in homes in especially over winter (underneath tubs at the bath trap).

FOODS: This ant is a predator and a scavenger. They will attack and kill other insects, and small animals feeding on the remains. They have been known to feed on honeydew, certain parts of plants and their secretions as well as other sweet materials.

STRUCTURAL INVASION: While they don’t typically nest inside a structure they will forage inside a home especially during tough environmental conditions such as extreme heat & drought or excessive rain.

CONTROL: Excellent control can be achieved in soil with a once a year treatment. If the property has mulched beds it will also need a bait applied in these areas due to the organic matter absorbing the material designed for use in the soil. Nothing is perfect! Call us today for a professional consultation and eliminate those painful stings tomorrow!

CRAZY ANT *There are approx 150 known sub-species of this ant!  (incl Crazy Raspberry Ant)

SIZE: 1/8th” Long

COLOR: Reddish brown (light to dark)

NESTING: This ant nests almost anywhere and is a sloppy nest builder. We have found them nesting underneath pieces of cardboard, hubcaps, lumber, plastic and more. They don’t burrow into the soil but rather just push soil out of the way to create hallways underneath whatever shelter they may find. It has recently been discovered they are able to reproduce with their siblings without any negative effects of inbreeding. The queen produces daughters which are her genetic clone, and sons that are the genetic clone of her mate. This is known as “double clone”. They have proven to be both prolific and highly adaptable. Colony size can range from several hundred to many MILLIONS!

FOODS: This ant is a predator and a scavenger. Their diet is similar to that of a fire ant in that they are hunter scavenger. They will kill other insects, and small animals feeding on the remains. They have also been know to feed on honeydew, certain sweet parts of plants and their secretions and other sweet materials.

STRUCTURAL INVASION: This ant does not sting but can cause a sharp pain when bitten (though it quickly dissipates). While they don’t typically nest inside a structure they can cause serious damage to electrical components if left untreated. There have been cases of electrical damage reported in the Houston area to computers, medical equipment, parking gates, vehicles, building wiring, video equipment and most recently a piece of equipment at the Port of Houston used in the detection of nuclear material (operated by the Department of Homeland Security). This piece of equipment was severely damaged (value in excess of $1 million US).

CONTROL: There is NO KNOWN dependable/reliable bait at this time and due to the numbers of ants in some colonies there is NO PROVEN CHEMICAL to be sprayed for control. With this ant the term “control” is a relative term and a warranty is almost out of the question! We have had some level success using a cocktail of “non-repellants” and pyrethroids.

If you suspect “Crazy Ant” activity on your property - call us today for a professional assessment and estimate.

CARPENTER ANT *We have 2 major sub-species in our service area!

SIZE: 1/4th” to ¾” Long w/large mandibles

COLOR: #1 is Jet Black, #2 is Light Red & Dark Brown

NESTING: This ant nests in wood they have excavated. These excavations (galleries) serve as a nursery for the rearing of their offspring. Frequently these galleries are in unsound wood (rotten, moist etc) by they may also excavate sound wood. They don’t consume the wood although the damage can be just as severe. Stumps, hollow logs, utility poles, and fence posts are all subject to attack.

FOODS: This ant will eat most anything people eat when given the opportunity. They will eat other insects, seeds, aphid honeydew, most sweets and meats including: syrup, honey, jelly, sugars, grease, fats and more! They are known to forage in excess of 100 yards from the nest for food.

STRUCTURAL INVASION: This ant does not sting but does possess a rather strong bite with its extra large mandibles. In the Houston area they have been known to nest in hollow doors, window sills, baseboards, boat hulls, unused pipe (and other protected conduits), wooden floors, porches, soffit/fascia and the list goes on!

CONTROL: The nest must be located to eradicate their presence. Because homes in the Houston area are so closely built you may simply have foraging ants in and around your structure while the nest is on someone else’s property. To protect your structure a routine “Maintenance Program” may be required to prevent permanent settlement. This ant may be eliminated on your property with a combination of baits and nest eradication. If you suspect “Carpenter Ant” activity on your property - call us today to eliminate the threat!

For Gulf Coast Pest Control call Gulf Coast Exterminators today at 281-449-7404

Pest Control in Houston, Texas since 1991