Do you know the problems ants create around your Anaheim home? Many ant species in California invade properties, and some of them are more of a problem than others. But, regardless of which ant you have around your home, they are all invasive and tough to eradicate. One of the most invasive ants in the area is the pharaoh ant. They travel together in lines, one by one, but it’s not their sheer numbers alone that make them problematic.
Pharaoh ants are one of the few species that pose health risks in the area. They can spread diseases, so you should know how to prevent and remove them. Get helpful Anaheim pest control tips from the professionals in this handbook.
Where Do Pharaoh Ants Get Their Name?
Ancient pharaoh ants aren’t even a part of United States history, so it seems odd that these ants have such a random name. The name makes a bit more sense when you learn that these ants were originally from Africa, although they are widespread now throughout the United States.
In Egypt and other parts of Africa, pharoah ants got their name from believing that they were one of the plagues written about in the Bible. But, while people in the past might have considered this myth, it’s not very relevant to these ants as a pest problem, even if this backstory is pretty interesting.
There are, however, some facts about pharaoh ants and their risks that are more applicable to homeowners. The most important point is that these ants can spread diseases, proving they are more dangerous to human health than most ants.
How To Tell If Pharaoh Ants Are On Your Property
While discovering facts about pharaoh ants are interesting, the more relevant information is how to identify these ants. Pharaoh ants in Anaheim are only about 1/16th of an inch long and have a 12-segmented antenna. They are a slight yellow color with red or black coloration on their abdomens.
Pharaoh ants look different from many other ant species in the area that tend to be dark brown or black, but you can also identify pharaoh ants based on where you find them. These pests usually live outside but occasionally build indoor nests. They typically create their colonies inside walls or under flooring and are even known to infest hospitals, grocery stores, and restaurants. These ants have the shocking habit of invading patient IVs in healthcare facilities.
What Attracts Pharaoh Ants?
Pharaoh ants transmit pathogens that cause salmonella and streptococcus. Like all ants, they will invade pantries and get into your food, so you’ll need to discard anything they contaminate.
Pharaoh ants are mainly attracted to sweet and fatty foods, so the easier it is to access food items around your pantry, the more likely they will invade. They are also rather adaptable and may nest in weird places such as inside appliances or piles of trash.
Since pharaoh ants pose some health risks, the best way to prevent and remove them is with help from the Anaheim ant control experts at A-1 Bonded Termite.
How To Keep Pharaoh Ants Away From Your Yard
Our home pest control team provides ant control services to target and remove these dangerous ants. We also offer prevention services, but you can help deter pharaoh ants by following these steps:
- Cleaning up kitchen spaces. Make sure that you wipe up food and drink spills right away.
- Sealing entry points into the home by patching holes in the walls and foundations with caulk.
- Placing lids on trash cans both in and around your house.
- Reducing moisture problems around the property by fixing leaky plumbing and removing standing water from the yard.
Call A-1 Bonded Termite today to learn more about pharaoh ant control.