When you see ants in and around your home or business, it may not send up an immediate red flag. There are many species of ants, most are just a nuisance however there are some that can do real damage to your property. Either way, an ant infestation isn’t something to be ignored and can be hard to get rid of. With help from Seitz Bros., we’ll identify the ants and take the necessary steps to treat the problem.

Ant Species in PA & NJ

In Pennsylvania and New Jersey the most common to the state are pavement ants, odorous house ants, acrobat ants, pharaoh ants, and carpenter ants. 

Odorous House Ants

Odorous house ants are small and typically black and brown in color. They get their name by their distinct smell omitted after they are crushed. Odorous house ants build large colonies with more than one queen, which means they reproduce very rapidly leading to expanding colonies and sub-colonies.

Pavement Ants

Pavement ants are generally around the same size as Odorous house ants but can be a little lighter in color. Like their name implies, pavement ants prefer to build their nests next to sidewalks and driveways or under slabs. A visual sign that pavement ants are present is if you see piles of soil on pavement type flooring such as a garage or basement.

Carpenter Ants

Carpenter ants are larger and can range in color from red, brown and black. They dig through wood to make space for their colonies to nest. Carpenter ants are drawn to damaged wood, especially wood that has been softened by water. Sources may include dead tree limbs, stumps, stacked wood, landscaping timbers, and holes in tree limbs. 

Acrobat Ants

Acrobat ants like sweet-tasting honeydew produced by several insects. Trees, plants, and shrubs in the yard or business landscaping provide feeding grounds for the insects, that in turn provide the sweet food for ants. They also like moist locations for their nests such as rotting wood in decks and fences. If disturbed Acrobat ants may bite to protect themselves. 

Pharaoh Ants

Pharaoh ants are smaller in size and are typically yellow or light brown in color. These ants can squeeze through tiny holes and can nest in more protected locations like behind walls, inside boxes, even under roofing shingles. They also prefer areas that provide moisture such as a bathroom, kitchen, or laundry room. 

To control ant populations, our team of experts do regular inspections and provide treatments to eliminate the problem.

Damage Caused by Ants

If you just see one ant, chances are there is a colony close by or it is a scout looking for a new place for the colony to nest. Ants look for new nesting locations and leave a pheromone trail for the others to follow. A queen ant keeps a colony populated by laying as many as 800 eggs daily, resulting in quickly growing colonies. 

Carpenter ants can cause severe damage to the structural integrity of your home should they nest within the wooden foundational support beams.

Ants can bite and sting, which can be problematic for anyone prone to allergic reactions. Certain species of ants bring with them a health risk, spreading diseases like salmonellosis and dysentery. Ants are also a food source for other pests, such as spiders. If you have an infestation, your home or business can attract these pests.

Treating Your Home or Business for Ants in PA & NJ

For many home and business owners, when an infestation is discovered, the first plan of action is using an over-the-counter spray to kill or repel the ants. These products work on the target ant but don’t take care of the colony. For the colony to be eliminated, you need intervention by a professional pest control company.

Whenever you see ants, calling Seitz Bros for an inspection to determine the type of ant, level of infestation, and a treatment plan gives you a head start on eliminating the existing ant population and controlling future infestations.

Our ant control specialists do a thorough inspection to find the existing colony, which may be visible or hidden behind walls or other cracks or crevices.

Contact Our Specialists in Ant Control

With the help of our skilled and experienced staff, take control of your home or commercial property. Whether there is one colony or a main colony with sub-colonies posing a problem, our professional technicians at Seitz Bros. are ready to take on the job of ant elimination. Contact us for your free estimate, so you can maintain an ant-free environment.