For being so small, sugar ants can be a big pain to exterminate if you have an infestation. These ants have a giant sweet-tooth — and are named accordingly. They often are drawn into your home by detecting sweet aromas from your kitchen and pantry: and if they can find a way to get to the food creating those delectable smells, they certainly will. However, sugar ants are not necessarily what you think they are. Many people refer to any ant that invades their kitchen as a sugar ant, but in reality that name is simply a colloquial term for a variety of different ant species that have an affinity for sweets and meat. If you have a sugar ant problem, the first step in your Garden Valley ant control efforts should be to determine which ant species is actually the culprit.
Why does identification matter? Although it’s not the end of the world if you don’t determine the exact type of ant stealing food from your home, it can certainly help in eliminating them. Whether you decide to tackle the extermination on your own or use a pest control agency, it will be quickest and most cost-efficient if you know exactly what species you’re dealing with. Not all species respond to baits in the same way, and therefore certain types of ant baits (such as bait stakes or liquid baits) will perform better on one species than another. Ultimately, if you know which ant is the problem, you will know which Garden Valley ant control solution will give you the highest chances of success.
Here are the ant species most commonly referred to as sugar ants:
Pavement Ant:
- 1/8 inch long
- dark brown to black in color
- found throughout the United States
Pharaoh Ant:
- 1/16 inch long
- pale yellow or red with darker abdomen
- found throughout the United States
Little Black Ant:
- 1/16 inch long
- very dark brown or black
- found throughout the United States, especially in California
Odorous House Ant:
- brown or black
- 1/16 to 1/8 inch long
- found throughout the United States
Once you’ve determined which species is responsible for your Garden Valley ant control problem, the next step is to determine which pest control method will be the most effective. The fastest way to do this is by contacting a local pest control company. Their expertise can be invaluable in knowing what method will be fastest at exterminating each ant species. Here in the Garden Valley, Get Lost Pest Control will respond to your ant concerns in a friendly and timely manner. Our professionals will help you identify your ant species and successfully eliminate them. Give us a call today to see how we can get those pesky sugar ants out of your kitchen — fast!