Any native Floridian will testify to the annoyances and frustrations that ants bring when they show up. Whether it’s ruining food at a picnic, taking over a pantry, or attacking your leg with fiery bites, there are many types of Florida ants that can wage war on you and cause expensive damage and destruction to your Florida property. However, by taking preventive measures and relying on ant control professionals, you can thwart an ant army takeover and effectively eliminate the problem.
The Different Types of Ants in Florida
Here are three of the most common ants in Florida:
Carpenter Ant
This variety of ant appears as either black or reddish-brown while measuring between 3.4 and 13 mm in length, making it one of the largest breeds in the US. They gravitate towards wooden structures as their chosen nesting site, and can slowly cause long-term damage if they are left untreated. Although not outwardly menacing, the Florida carpenter ant can create a colony in any wooden structure, jeopardizing the structural integrity of your deck, fence, or other wooden frameworks.
Argentine Ant
The Argentine ant looks like your ordinary brown ant, measuring between 2.2 and 2.8 mm in size. Although average-looking, this variety is known for rapidly creating super colonies. The supercolonies consist of intricate trails that can spread quite far, making it very difficult to fully eliminate when an infestation occurs. With multiple connected nests within one colony housing millions of ants, Argentine ants can disrupt biodiversity by pushing other ant species out.
Fire Ant
The fire ant is brown with a distinct red flair, measuring from 1.6 to 5 mm in size. The fire ant lives up to the name by giving a red-hot sting to unfortunate recipients. The aggressive behavior of the Florida fire ants can become a real problem when thousands of ants are ready to swarm at farmers, children, and pets who get too close to their home. They also take over electrical equipment because of their love of the warm environment provided by electrical currents, often causing expensive repairs.
How to Spot an Ant Infestation
When it comes to ant infestations, there are three main areas where you will see their impact the most:
- Outdoor invasion – Argentine, fire, and carpenter ants in Florida will take over yards, parks, gardens, and common areas that have access to food, good nesting conditions, and minimal disturbances. They can ruin landscaping, damage ecosystems, disrupt plant life, and (in the case of fire ants) scare off visitors looking to spend time in the area.
- Indoor infestation – When the battle is in your home, ants enter through weak spots such as cracks or gaps in windows and doors, as well as through unreliable weather stripping, to find the pantry and other sources of food throughout the house. Once inside, ants will live in hidden areas such as walls or cabinets, and create a colony that can be very difficult to reach and eliminate.
- Electrical intrusion – Fire ants seek out environments resonating warmth, enticing them to nest in electrical equipment. They swarm in transformers, air conditioning units, electrical boxes, and other essential devices. This swarm can cause malfunctions, short circuits, and damage machinery, while also posing a threat to workers who need to use the equipment.
Preventing an Ant Infestation on Your Premises
If you’re looking to prevent an ant infestation before it begins, here are some best practices:
- Routine landscaping: If you want to keep the ants at bay it is good practice to keep a tidy yard, especially by the foundation of your home. Clearing out natural debris and other enticing nesting and feeding spots for insects will naturally make the area less appealing for ants, reducing the chance that they invade your home.
- Household maintenance: Patching up any cracks or holes in your house’s foundation, as well as repairing any damaged windows, doors, and other entryways, will make it much harder for ants to come marching inside.
- Food source removal: Maintaining a tidy home can go a long way towards keeping your space ant-free. Cleaning up spills and crumbs after eating is imperative, and ensuring that dirty dishes do not pile up in the sink will go a long way. Finally, keep your open food in sealed plastic containers for the best chance of keeping ants away.
Contact Tampa’s Ant Control Experts
At Critter Control® Tampa our experienced ant control technicians know how to safely locate the nuisance pests and quickly and efficiently remove their unwelcome infestation. If you are dealing with invasive ants on your Tampa area property, call Critter Control® of Tampa today at (813) 328-6646 to schedule an inspection and receive a free ant control estimate.
