Ant Control in Maryland and Virginia
When you’re busy cooking in the kitchen and happen to notice little creepy ants marching along your sink or countertops, or you’re getting ready to shower after a long day and see a slew of ants exploring the inside of your tub, you just might have an ant problem in your home. Ants aren’t just unsightly pests—they can also be trouble for your pantry, too. You’re most likely to find ants in the kitchen, but they can find their way in through drains and windowsills as well.
For ant control and ant prevention in Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and Tennessee, Frontline is the expert pest control team to call.
Types of Ants in Maryland and Virginia
There are several ways to treat and prevent ant infestations, but it can be important to know what kind of pest you’re dealing with in order to select the best treatment option for your home’s situation. There are many different kinds of ants you might encounter in Maryland, Virginia, and Tennessee, and we’ve listed them here:
Acrobat Ants
Acrobat ants get their name from the unique behavior they display when threatened, where they raise their abdomen above their head and thorax much like a scorpion’s tail. These ants are brown or black in color and are only one-eighth of an inch in length on average. While small, the workers of this species will bite aggressively and release a foul odor when alarmed. Colonies are known to nest in structural woodwork and foam insulation.
Harvester Ants
Harvester ants are one of the larger species of ants, averaging between a quarter and half an inch long. This is another species of ant with stingers that will cause you pain, similar to fire ants. These ants, however, are known more for their habits of seed collection and dispersal, which gives them their name.
Bigheaded Ants
This is another invasive species you might find in your home or garden. You can identify these ants primarily by the distinct appearance of the “major workers,” which are the members of the species that give them their namesake. With large heads and mandibles, these ants might look intimidating, but they only bite if you disturb their nests. Even if they do bite, it won’t be painful.
Odorous House Ants
Odorous house ants are especially fond of sweet, sugary foods and will forage day and night to find food sources. You’ll often find them nesting in moist areas, either indoors or outdoors. These ants are dark brown or black in color and roughly one-eighth inch long, but you’re most likely to recognize them if they’re crushed. If they’re smooshed, odorous house ants release a nasty smell similar to that of rotten coconut or blue cheese, making them unpleasant to try and get rid of yourself.
Argentine Ants
Argentine ants are tiny at only one-tenth of an inch long and are usually light brown to dark brown in color. They’re considered an invasive species in the United States and will build their nests in the ground, in the cracks of walls, in between wooden boards, and even in loose-leaf litter. These ants are common household pests, and like many ant species, they’ll journey inside in search of food, water, and a place to escape flooded nests.
Little Black Ants
Little black ants are uniquely shiny and are certainly little, roughly only a one-sixteenth of an inch long. They are highly adaptive, typically building their nests primarily in dark, protected areas, such as underneath rocks and logs, but will also find their way indoors to make their homes in woodwork and in the walls. This species is not widely considered to be dangerous, but they are a nuisance.
Fire Ants
Fire ants are red and black in color, but what makes these pests distinct is their stingers. Fire ants are known for their aggression. They’ll latch on with their strong mandibles and then use their stringer to inject venom into their victim. Unlike many other ants with bites that you don’t even feel, you’ll know the moment you’re stung by a fire ant because of the sudden painful, burning sensation. Their stings may leave itchy, red welts on your skin as well.
Pharaoh Ants
With the infamous reputation of being the most difficult species of ant to control, pharaoh ants are distinctly yellow, light brown, or red in color. Roughly a tenth of an inch in length, these ants have huge colonies with thousands of ants or even more in each, making their infestations very difficult to control.
Thief Ants
Thief ants can often be the smallest of ants that we see and are usually yellow or light brown in color, similar to pharaoh ants. However, these ants are known for their tendency to build nests near the homes of other ants and steal their food. But these ants will eat just about anything and are also known as grease ants because of their attraction to grease.
What Attracts Ants to My Maryland and Virginia Home?
Even the cleanest of homes can end up with an ant problem, as food spills and trash are not the only reasons ants can journey indoors. Many do, however, come inside searching for food and will stay if they find it. But ants are also drawn to water sources, which is why you may find them near drains or inside your dishwasher. Leaks in your pipes can attract ants as well. Your home also provides shelter from the outdoors and is especially attractive to ants during the dry season.
Signs of an Ant Infestation
The most common sign of an ant infestation is simply seeing the ants themselves. If you’re finding them inside or outside your home, there’s likely a nest close by, whether that’s in the garden, in the walls, or elsewhere. Take note especially if you’re seeing the ants marching in a line, as they’re likely following a set pheromone trail leading to a discovered food source.
Prevent Ants in Your Maryland and Virginia Home
If it’s just a few stray ants you’re seeing, kill the ones you can, as they could possibly be scout ants that are searching your home for food or water. Seal your home and make repairs to fill in cracks or crevices that ants could sneak through. As a good rule of thumb, give them as few reasons to stick around as possible. Clean up food spills and crumbs, don’t leave dirty dishes out, dust, sweep, and vacuum regularly, and take out the trash often.
A well-maintained yard is also less likely to attract pests in the first place. However, there are factors you may be unable to control, such as your neighbor’s lawn or the area surrounding your property. That’s why regular pest control treatments with Frontline can help prevent ant infestations and other pests in the first place.
Schedule Ant Control Services With Frontline Pest Today
If the ants have come marching into your home, we offer both continuous services and one-time services, depending on your Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, or Tennessee home’s unique needs. Regardless of the service you choose, you can rest assured that you’ll get quality service at the right price. Give us a call to get started or contact us online to receive your free quote today!