Ants

Live Ant-Free with Pointe!

Pointe Pest Control is committed to keeping your home pest-free in every season. Our team of experienced and state-certified technicians are dedicated to providing safe and effective pest control services for the Western Illinois and Eastern Missouri areas. If a pest problem is not completely resolved after a visit, our technicians will return until it is eliminated.

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Ants Love Food

Ant invasions happen for one main reason: they want our food. They will eat all kinds of food that is not properly sealed, but ants especially love anything sugary or protein-rich. Some common targets of ant invasions include cereals, baked goods, dried fruits, meats, and candy. Ant colonies are divided into 3 classes: queen, workers, and drones. The queen is the sole reproducer, workers are all females, and drones are all males who mate with the queen. The workers are the class of ants that we see scavenging for food in our kitchens and backyards. These ants carry pieces of food back to the colony, leaving a trail of pheromones behind for their fellow workers to follow to the same food source. These pheromones are invisible chemicals that ants, as well as other insect species, use to communicate with their own colony.

Since ants can carry items about 50 times their own weight – or more, depending on the species – worker ants can carry some sizable crumbs back to their nest, where the food will sustain the general colony and queen. Once ants find a reliable food source, especially if there is other food nearby, the ants will continue to invade for weeks on end.

Where Are Ants Most Common?

Unfortunately, ants live just about everywhere in the world besides the frigid Arctic. Ant colonies live together in a nest, with a separate section for the queen and her eggs. The build of the nest depends on the species, as well as the nest’s location and surroundings. The most common ant nests in the U.S. are underground, inside wood, or in anthills made of dirt. Most ant species here prefer to live outdoors and then scavenge for food in other locations, like our homes. The exception to this is the carpenter ant, which burrows inside wooden structures and crafts intricate tunnels that weaken the framework. Ants are cold-blooded, like other insects, so they need warmth in order to achieve peak performance. This is why ants are generally more common in warmer regions than colder ones. Their nests are warm due to the body heat of numerous ants and the insulated structure of the nest. Ant colonies can number anywhere from the hundreds into the millions if they are left alone for long enough!

No matter which ant species are most common in your region, it is important to get a handle on an ant invasion as soon as possible. The experienced technicians at Pointe Pest Control know the habits and preferences of common ants, which determines the treatments we implement for that season. Call us today to schedule your ant control services and take back your home from these pests.

The Top Ant Species

The general climate and topography of your region determines which ant species are most commonly seen. There are 3 frequent ant species in the greater St. Louis area.

Carpenter Ants – Camponotus

A carpenter ant infestation is often confused for a termite invasion upon first glance of the damage. One of the key differences is that carpenter ants don’t actually eat the wood; they just cut through the moist or decaying wood and leave the excess outside the hole. These ants are black or reddish in color, measuring about 3/8 to 1/2 of an inch in length. The workers have huge mandibles, or mouth parts, for cutting through wood. Carpenter ants eat sweets and protein just like most ant species, and typically forage for food at night. If you see tiny holes in damaged wood with the shavings on the ground, accompanied by ants crawling all around the scene, it is a full carpenter ant invasion and needs to be handled immediately.

Pavement Ants – Tetramorium caespitum

These ants get their name from their preferred habitat in and under concrete. They are the crafters behind the random small mounds of dirt on a sidewalk or driveway. Pavement ants are dark with lighter antennae and legs, and measure about 1/8 to 1/16 of an inch long. Since pavement ants will travel far and wide to find food for their colony, they can invade a home and its walls with ease. These ants eat meat, other insects, and grease, often seeking out the latter in restaurants and other greasy food-producing places. The workers will go to extensive lengths to protect the colony, such as carrying the queen’s eggs to a new location if the temperature changes. Pavement ants also come equipped with a stinger, so someone who touches them is at risk of being stung or bitten.

Odorous House Ants – Tapinoma sessile

The common ant species are all capable of invading a home, but odorous house ants set their sights on our houses from day one. They can invade in droves, hiding their colony behind walls and under the floor. Odorous house ants are about 2.5 to 3.25 millimeters in length, and have strangely-shaped thoraxes that are dark to match the rest of their bodies. Although they can live in many climates, odorous house ants often invade in the fall when the rainy season begins. They will feed on a wide range of items, including grease, sweets, dairy, insects, and meats. The “odorous” part of their name comes from the strong smell they emit when squished. It has been compared to rotten coconut or bleu cheese, neither of which are pleasant to have in the home.

Whether the ants pestering you are on this list or not, Pointe Pest Control solves ant problems with efficiency and care every time.

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Initial Inspection

We begin by inspecting the area for signs of damage in order to find the main nest.

Baits and Barriers

We will come to your home quarterly to keep these persistent pests away.

Pest-Free Guarantee

With this service, we treat ants and over 40 different pests. We always guarantee our results.

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The Hazards of Ants

Ants do not seem as dangerous when compared to rodents and stinging insects. But that does not mean that ants are a harmless pest to have in your home or business. Since many ant species gravitate toward moisture and our food, they can crawl through some undesirable places to get there. Ants can contaminate surfaces and food after walking through bacteria-infested spaces. Salmonella and E. coli are two of the most common ones caused by multiple species. Pharaoh ants in particular transmit diseases wherever they go, especially in the medical buildings they are known to invade. Because of these pathogens, any food that ants have walked on or invaded should be considered “contaminated.” Throw out the food immediately, and disinfect all affected surfaces with an antibacterial wipe or spray.

Ants also have an obvious danger factor in their defense mechanisms. Multiple species can bite and/or sting, and will do so if their nest or colony is disturbed. Most bites or stings will heal after a couple of days and are not serious injuries. The area may be red and irritated, and can be treated with topical medications. But the two species that deliver a nasty bite or sting are bullet ants and fire ants. The venom from fire ants causes pain and swelling, and can involve further medical issues. Anaphylaxis, an immediate allergic reaction, is potentially life-threatening and needs to be treated instantly to prevent the shock from worsening.

As you can see, ants can pack quite a punch when they invade. Professional pest control services is the best way to stop ants in their tracks before they can cause any more problems.

Don’t Let the Ants Come Marching In

Pointe Pest Control Has the Ant Control For You

Whether you are looking to prevent ants from invading or are seeking professional help with the active ants in your home, Pointe Pest Control is here to help! We do not consider a job to be done until we are sure that every entry point and area of concern has been treated.

One of the most effective treatments we use on ants is bait. The ants take the bait – literally – and leave a pheromone trail to the supposed food source, leading the rest of their colony to their doom. The bait is a mixture of protein and poison in order to attract the ants before eliminating them. This method does take some time to work because it requires the whole colony to find it, so it is not an instantaneous treatment. But it is the most consistent and effective, which is why we continue to use it today.

For the best ant control in the greater St. Louis area, give us a call! Our team is here to serve your home or business in every season.

No more live bugs inside my home

He came yesterday to spray outside of house to ensure pests stay out. Since he got the ants under control a month or so ago, I have not seen any live bugs inside my home. That’s the way I like it.

Mary Davis

Swansea

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Ants

Ants

Live Ant-Free with Pointe!

FREE PEST CONTROL QUOTE

Ants Love Food

Where Are Ants Most Common?

The Top Ant Species

Call an Expert Today!

Initial Inspection

Baits and Barriers

Pest-Free Guarantee

The Hazards of Ants

Don’t Let the Ants Come Marching In

Pointe Pest Control Has the Ant Control For You

No more live bugs inside my home

Free Pest Control Quote

Contact Us Form

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customer care

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services

customer care

Email Us

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