Although ants are an important character in our vast ecosystem, they are quite the household nuisance.
Originating from Argentina, Argentine ants are lovers of warm weather and one of the most common ant types in California. Argentine ants are attracted to sweetness and moisture. Also common in California are fire ants, which can give you more than the heebie-jeebies; their bites can cause life-threatening allergic reactions. Carpenter ants are also a breed that is known to invade homes and nest themselves comfortably if left unattended.
The Most Effective Ant Treatment
What is the most powerful ant extermination method?
The short and simple answer is that ant removal treatments are only truly effective when they target the entire colony, not just those that are foraging or visible to you. If you have tried to remove the ants with insecticide only for ants to re-emerge, the reason why many DIY or at-home remedies do not work is because they only affect the ants you see—meanwhile, an entire colony of thousands of ants are nested out of sight. This is why professional extermination is highly recommended in order to remove the entire colony.
Do-It-Yourself Ant Treatments: The Problem With Over-The-Counter Insecticides
If ants have infested your property, how do you get rid of them?
When you first discover an ant colony, the first thing you will likely want to do is either scream or run to the nearest store to buy insecticide. It may be tempting to douse the ants in over-the-counter insecticide and watch them squirm.
However, it is important to understand why do-it-yourself methods may not be the safest or most effective option. In fact, over-the-counter ant solutions can sometimes make the issue worse. “Budding” is a behavior that occurs when ants are treated with an insecticide that is detectable to ants; the insecticide will repel the ants, deterring them away from their nest, causing them to start new colonies. While over-the-counter treatments may offer temporary relief, treatments that will remove ants from your home completely are best done by licensed and professional exterminators in California.
Traditional Ant Extermination
Ants can be exterminated with poison, which they easily confuse with food. The ants either eat the poison or they will transfer it to their nest for other ants in their colony to eat. During chemical ant treatments, pets must be kept away, and food must be stored away and tightly shut.
Termidor is a popular and effective insecticide that does not trigger the budding effect. Termidor is a non-repellent that acts effectively upon contact, while being undetectable. The ants that have been in contact with Termidor will unknowingly transfer the chemical to other ants and the rest of their colony.
Natural Ant Extermination
Are there organic or eco-friendly alternatives to chemical insecticide?
Essential oils such as peppermint, orange, rosemary, and thyme are used in plant-based solutions to treat pests. These essential oils can be effective on ants upon contact, however they are less effective at targeting ants where they live and reproduce.
Low-toxicity bait can be highly effective as an outdoor natural ant treatment. Bait stations are filled with an eco-friendly bait that is released by contact with rain (or any source of water).
In addition to treating your home and removing the existing colony, our professional exterminators can also treat the perimeter of your home to repel any new colonies, which are always springing up across California and trying to infest homes like yours.
Call Us Today: +1-714-451-2890
E-mail: info@naturalscienceexterminating.com