Why Are There So Many Sugar Ants In McKinney?
November 15, 2021 - Ants
The term “sugar ants” is used in Texas to refer to many small ants that are also common house pests. Most sugar ant species, such as pavement ants, are recognized as nuisance pests. They do not endanger the health and safety of humans and pets nor pose a hazard to the structure of the home and property. Their mere presence is considered a nuisance.
However, the pharaoh ant, one of the most common sugar ant species in the McKinney area, is known to transmit disease-causing bacteria and is thus a threat to welfare. Read on for more about pharaoh ants and the dangers they pose, along with prevention tips.
Pharaoh Ants In McKinney
Pharaoh ants are among the most common species of sugar ants in McKinney, and their presence goes beyond that of a nuisance. These tiny pests, which measure only two millimeters long, appear yellow or light brown, with nearly transparent bodies.
Pharaoh ants are known to carry bacteria that can cause sickness and disease in humans and pets, including streptococcus, E. coli, and salmonella, which can be transmitted if one is bitten - yes, these ants bite, and they have pincer-like jaws to boot. Pharaoh ants don’t usually bite unless there is a particularly sizable infestation, though a single colony of pharaoh ants may consist of thousands.
Pharaoh ants are especially problematic in hospital settings. In addition to feeding on sweets, they prefer protein and are known to infest and contaminate the wounds and IVs of patients.
Tips On Preventing Sugar Ants In McKinney
Contacting professionals is the most effective way to prevent a sugar ant infestation, especially to rid your home of pharaoh ants. However, the following three tips can help to repel these pests from entering your home:
1. Vacuum regularly: Sugar ants are after the crumbs that fall underneath the kitchen table during dinnertime or the cookie crumbles that drop into the carpet while watching TV. Vacuuming daily or a few times a week will remove fallen debris that attracts sugar ants and prevent buildup.
2. Clean your countertops: The kitchen is one of the most likely places for sugar ants to congregate. Just as food particles and debris can easily fall on the floor and carpet, they can also fall onto nearby surfaces, especially where food is prepared, such as kitchen countertops. Using an all-purpose cleaner, thoroughly clean countertops and other areas used for food preparation and eating after every meal. This also has the double effect of removing any pheromone trails left behind by sugar ants who visited earlier in the day, which only attracts more ants.
3. Use an all-natural repellent: Fill an empty spray bottle with water and add a few drops of peppermint oil, which acts as a natural sugar ant repellent. After cleaning surfaces, lightly spray the solution onto countertops and other areas, such as in cabinet and pantry shelves, as desired.
The professionals at Big D Pest & Termite Services offer residential pest control solutions to free your home of sugar ants, one of the most common residential pests in the McKinney area, along with other pests.
To develop a service plan ideal for your home and needs, we will conduct a thorough inspection to assess areas of the house that are most vulnerable to pests, followed by customized treatment and follow-up. For pest control year-round, we offer various plans, including a quarterly option involving four annual visits. Call Big D Pest & Termite Services today for pest control in McKinney.