5 Surprising Reasons to Be Concerned About Ants

Ants are incredible creatures for a number of reasons, but their impressive evolutionary development does not detract from the fact that they are pests. Because of their size and skills, ants can end up just about anywhere, whether it's your office, your house, or even your car — but don't let their size fool you. Having ants can be a major issue for your home and your health.

1. Sign of a Bigger Problem

Seeing one or two ants in your house now and again is pretty common. Ants tend to be very industrious in their pursuit of food and other resources, so some are bound to find their way into your home. However, if you see more than a few ants with some regularity, it's likely that their presence is a sign of a bigger problem.

Finding many ants inside can be an indication that they have made your house their home, too. Depending on the variety of ants, they may have burrowed into structural components of your home. For instance, carpenter ants, as their name suggests, like wood and can cause a lot of damage if left to their own devices. This species of ant is different from termites, but that doesn't make them any less destructive.

Even if the ants you're seeing aren't new tenants inside your house, they're certainly making their way inside somehow. Repeatedly finding large quantities of ants throughout your home indicates that your home's foundation or doorways may be compromised. Check for cracks and gaps and make sure they get sealed to prevent anything more serious from happening once you've scheduled pest control services.

2. They Colonize

As you probably know, ants live in large groups called colonies. Seeing just one ant likely isn't a problem, but if you keep seeing multiple ants, there may be a colony nearby. Ant colonies may seem harmless to you, especially if they're outside where they belong, but having one or more ant colonies living on your property can become an issue.

Any emissaries from nearby colonies can definitely make their way into your home to raid resources, but they're just as - if not more - likely to collect from your yard. Any plants or vegetation, especially fragrant flowers or produce, are susceptible to ants. Moreover, large colonies can wreak havoc on your lawn via their underground tunneling. Although you definitely don't want ants to be inside your house, it may be just as necessary to can an exterminator to keep their outdoor presence to a minimum.

3. Your Health

We know that pests like mosquitos and rats can carry diseases that are dangerous to humans. However, you may not know that ants can be dangerous, too. Some species of ants, like Bullet and Bulldog Ants, are actually venomous and their bites can be incredibly painful. Recent studies have found that some species of ants, like Pharoah Ants, can actually carry salmonella and other bacteria.

Some ants are also capable of excreting discharge that can be irritating to the lungs of humans and animals. This discharge can trigger asthma and is unhealthy to respirate for extended periods. Knowing what species of ants are native to your area can be helpful in determining if this particular concern should be on your radar. The best way to get this info is by calling a local pest control company to speak with an expert.

4. Infestations Are Contagious

While ants are not contagious like the flu or a cold, they are likely to spread when their colony grows big enough or is threatened. If your neighbor is suffering from an ant infestation, you should definitely take pest control precautions in your own home. The reverse is true as well; if you've recently identified a significant ant problem on your property, let your neighbor know so they can reach out for preventive pest control.

Communicating this information to your neighbors can help save everyone time and frustration so that the issue can be addressed and eliminated entirely. Otherwise, you may end up needing to call for another extermination.

5. Honestly, They're Gross

Consumer Affairs recently found that homeowners consider ants the most concerning pest to find in their homes. This may come as a surprise if your first thought was spiders or roaches. However, due to ants' size and behavior, this statistic isn't all that shocking.

Ants are creepy and crawly for vastly different reasons than spiders or roaches, though both of these other pests can be just as gross to find in your home. Because ants live in colonies and can make their way into just about any container, there's never a shortage of them and you never know how many more are around. Ants are the kind of pest you might not notice right away, which is probably why so many people find them off-putting.

Just as ants are capable of carrying up to 20 times their own body weight, their capacity for destruction is much greater than their size. Ants may not be the first pests that come to mind when you think of extermination or pest control, but they're not something to overlook. Whether you want to prevent an issue or address a current infestation, scheduling pest control service with Mares Exterminating is the best way to safeguard your home and family.