Have you noticed sawdust piles and flying ants in or around your property? Are crumbs on work surfaces quickly becoming engorged in hoards of ants? Then if so, it looks like you have an ant infestation.

Ants can spread and cause serious property damage. Below, we go through 7 signs that show how you need to call ant pest control.

1. Visible Ant Pest Control

Of course, the most obvious sign you have ants in your property is actually seeing them. However, many people think that by sweeping them away and removing food or even spraying, they will go. This is not true.

It is likely that you have a nest somewhere close by. The ants may be in other parts of the house; you just may not have noticed. Removing an ants nest is not an easy task and requires a specialist. If not, the ants will keep returning time and time again.

A single colony can number up to 500,000 ants. Some of them can be harmless, but some of them can cause serious damage to your structure and building. Get them removed quickly and efficiently.

2. Pathways

Ants are actually astonishing creatures. Not only are they strong for their size, but they also communicate using scents. This means that the hive can work together, creating paths and roadways to and from food sources or items ants need to build a nest.

Oddly enough, ants are clean and will migrate from one nest to another if their home becomes unclean. As such, you may have multiple nests in your house. The ants will use these pathways to migrate, and they are a surefire indication you have an infestation.

Even when the ants have left a pathway, you may be able to see them by the tiny specs of ants droppings left behind. You may even sometimes be able to track this pathway back to the source, finding the ants nest. If you do find it, call a specialist to remove the problem and prevent it from recurring.

3. Nests

It is very unlikely that you will find an ants nest. As they migrate quite often, the ones you do find will likely be empty. Ants also prefer to build nests outdoors, and it is probable they will be accessing your home through small cracks and holes in the building.

Ants nests are usually in burrows so will be marked by a small mound of earth with a hole in the middle. They may often be found around the outskirts of a building or property. Contrary to popular belief, pouring boiling water down the hole will not clear the infestation.

4. Odors

Many people do not realize that certain types of ants can give off strong smells and odors. Ant colonies will have the scent of fermentation, like blue cheese or a strong turpentine smell. If you have detected this smell in our home, you may have an unseen colony living close by.

Ant colonies will also die and rot. If you are detecting the smell of decay in your home, particularly from behind fittings and under floorboards, it may be signs of an ant colony that has died or moved on. Even if the colony is dead, call a professional so that any other colonies in the area have gone and traces are effectively removed.

5. Saw Dust

Sawdust is a sign of either ant or termite infestation, and it can sometimes be hard to distinguish the two. Dust along the edge of any wood furniture or fittings could be signs of an infestation. There are a few checks you can do to distinguish the two.

Carpenter ants will prefer wet, damp sources of wood, usually wood which is rotting. They will create passageways and tunnels in the wood leading to and from their nest. You will usually find them in the home in areas that have a moisture problem, like roof spaces and outbuildings.

Carpenter ants are winged. They can fly to other areas to start nests in swarms. Always call a professional to remove them, as they can quickly multiply if it is not done correctly and cause huge damage to property.

6. Food

Crumbs and household debris left on the floor can attract ants. Ants feed on proteins and sugars, so any quick snacks left lying around for them will become overrun fast. You may see a pathway going to and from the crumb or food source.

Try to keep all food in airtight containers and sweep regularly. If ants do not have a food source, they will move on, so this can be a way of stopping the problem before it occurs. You should also remember to check your pet’s food bowl or any cages, as these can be great sources of food for ants.

7. Type of Ants

Aside from carpenter ants, other species can have quite specific characteristics that you may pick up on. Acrobat ants can strip insulation from wiring, causing circuits to short. They have quite painful bites, so do not attempt to remove them yourself.

Fire nats are quite dangerous but will only exist in certain areas. They live outdoors and can cause pain in pets and household animals that they will aggressively attack. Should your pet be injured, it may be a sign of fire ant infestation.

Finding an Exterminator

If you have even one of these signs in your home, you need to call an ant pest control expert. Ants are very hard to remove fully, and they can cause lots of damage to your home. Ring and exterminator at the next available moment. Alt US Pest is an expert pest control and extermination firm. We can give helpful, affordable advice and quickly remove any infestations on your property. Call us today for a free quote and let us help you rid your house of pests.