20 Jan Ant Problems
Did you know that the biggest pest problem a Texas homeowner will face is ants? Not termites, not spiders or roaches, but ants. There are a mind boggling amount of types of ants- about 22,000 species inhabit the Earth. In Texas, there are about 250 ant species which are native to our state, but thankfully, in the Fort Worth-Dallas metroplex, we mostly deal with a much smaller number of the problematic pests. Those would be; Carpenter Ants, Pharaoh Ants, Acrobat Ants, Odorous House Ants, Fire Ants, Argentine Ants, and Crazy Ants. Yes.. Crazy Ants.
Ants are nature’s most industrious workers, and play a critical role in the soil aeration needed for healthy crop growth, and in the decomposition and recycling of dead organic material. However; their work ethic, small size, and outlandish numbers make ants a challenging opponent when they invade North Texas homes, yards, and businesses.
The public sometimes will get confused when trying to identify an ant from a termite. Texas ants range in size from the thumbnail sized Carpenter which can be from 1/4 to 3/4 inch, and is the largest ant in North America. Others are so tiny that it’s difficult to discern one species from another with the naked eye. Several of the species are similar in color, which leads to even more confusion; but they all cause damage. Some ants cause physical damage to homes, gardens, home food supplies, and yards. Others such as the Fire Ant, pose a serious medical threat to people and pets. As you can see, it is very important to be able to identify the type of pest you are dealing with correctly, so that they can be treated effectively.
We recommend that a homeowner not try to eliminate an ant infestation on their own. Most likely, they will only be treating a surface problem, and won’t be able to locate the hidden source colony, which can harbor thousands and thousands of pests. Successful elimination of Texas ant infestations requires the knowledge and expertise of a professional. Please call Western Exterminating at our Fort Worth, TX office, at 817.834.3121, and let us put our 55 years of experience to work for you.