Ants are widespread pests that you’ve probably seen around your property and there are good odds that you will eventually deal with an ant infestation. But, instead of just accepting the inevitable, there are easy ways to get effective ant control for your home. This guide explores how Virginia Beach pest control services can both prevent and remove ant infestations. So, keep reading to learn the best way to get rid of ants.
The Life Cycle Of Common Ants
Ants in Virginia Beach have a life cycle that consists of four main stages. First, the queens in the colony lay their eggs. While many species only have one queen, some can have multiple. For example, the Argentine ant is an ant species with many queens in one large colony.
Next, the eggs will reach the larval stage. At this point, the ants need to consume a copious amount of nutrients. This stage is about one to two weeks long.
Then, ants enter the pupae stage. This can last about six to ten weeks. Some ants will cocoon during this stage while others do not. During both the larvae and pupae stage, the worker ants in the colony will tend to the youngling ants.
Finally, ants will leave the pupae stage and become adults. Most will be worker ants. These ants are female, and the males' only job is to fertilize queens before dying.
Why It Is So Difficult To Get Rid Of Ants In Your Home On Your Own
One important thing to note about the life cycle of ants is that these pests are very prolific. They reproduce rapidly, and one queen can lay hundreds of eggs each day. This means that a colony can contain hundreds of thousands of individuals, and the nests can span many feet either underground or through the structures of your home.
These factors make eradicating ants using DIY ant control services a challenge. While you might be able to use traps and baits and remove some of the ants, you likely won’t reach the entire infestation. This is especially true with invasive species like the Argentine ant and the carpenter ant.
How To Completely Get Rid Of An Ant Infestation In Your Home
While it can be challenging to get rid of ants in Virginia Beach, there is one effective and simple way to handle ant problems. The pest control experts at Go-Forth Home Services provide reliable services to address any ant species in the area. We have specialized training and experience that allows our technicians to altogether remove ants even if the infestation has grown out of control.
Six Naturally Effective Prevention Tips To Keep Ants From Returning
If you aren’t already dealing with ants or want to prevent infestations in the future, you can also take some steps on your own. Here are six natural and effective ways to keep ants from returning:
- Store pet food inside of the home in sealed containers.
- Keep your kitchen cleaned and free of food spills and crumbs.
- Get lids for trash cans.
- Make it more difficult for ants to get inside by installing door sweeps and weather stripping. You can also repair holes in broken screens.
- Reduce moisture problems by fixing leaky plumbing.
- Patch up holes in the walls and foundation to keep ants out.
For more ant prevention assistance, contact Go-Forth Home Services.