Are Sugar Ants In McKinney Dangerous?

6/15/2021

There is a big difference between sugar ants and ants that like sugar. Almost all ants like sugar and eat sweat things. Banded sugar ants are a specific species of ants that live in Australia. “Sugar ants” here in McKinney is a term used to describe a range of invasive ants that cause trouble in and around homes. To help you better understand and identify these pests, here are a few key things every local homeowner should know.

What Ants Are Considered To Be Sugar Ants?

Sugar ants are any ants that are attracted to sweet things. In McKinney, there are a few different species of ants that fit this bill. Here is how to identify each and what problems they cause around area homes.
Odorous house ants are 1/16- to ⅛-inch-long brown to black insects that regularly invade homes in our area. You can further identify this pest by the uneven shape of its abdomen. Apart from scavenging for food around homes, odorous house ants are known for the pungent odor they release when squished or threatened. People describe this odor as smelling like rotting coconuts.
Carpenter ants are the largest species of ants in our area and grow to be ⅝” long. Their bodies can be red, black, or a combination of these two colors. What makes these invasive insects terrible home pests is the way they tunnel their nests into structural wood. If your home’s wood has sections that are water damaged, rotting, or in decay, these pests may come inside and cause damage.
Rover ants are 1/10-inch-long, pale yellow to blackish-brown pests that live both in and around homes. You are most likely to find these invasive insects crawling around bathrooms, kitchens, and living areas during the hot summer months. Rover ants are not dangerous or destructive and are only an annoyance with the way they scavenge for food.

The Dangers Of Sugar Ants

Most species of sugar ants that live in our area are not dangerous and pose no threat to your health. The only ants that might cause you harm are fire ants and Pharaoh ants. A fire ant has a stinger and a pair of powerful mandibles which it uses to bite prey. A Pharaoh ant, on the other hand, poses a risk to human health with the bacteria it can spread around homes. Some notable sicknesses people contract from this pest are salmonellosis and staphylococcus.

Prevention Tips To Keep Ants Out Of Your Home

Because different ants invade homes for different reasons, it is important to employ a range of general prevention tips when trying to keep these pests out of your home. To help you with this, here are some practical places to start.

Clean up your yard of clutter and debris and keep your grass and landscaping well maintained.
Address problems with your home’s gutter system making sure they are clean and working properly.
Use a caulking gun to fill in holes, gaps, and cracks in your home’s exterior.
Repair damage to your home’s piping and fixtures.
Use a dehumidifier indoors.
Replace or repair wood around your home that is water damaged, rotting, or in decay.
Thoroughly clean your living areas.
Store leftover foods inside airtight containers

For additional help keeping sugar ants out of your McKinney home, take advantage of a locally provided pest control plan. At Around The Block Pest Control, we offer amazing solutions designed to keep a wide range of pests out of your home.

Call our team today with questions you have about sugar ants or to schedule your McKinney home for a service visit.

Tags: species of ants | pest prevention | mckinney pest control

Are Sugar Ants In McKinney Dangerous?

6/15/2021

There is a big difference between sugar ants and ants that like sugar. Almost all ants like sugar and eat sweat things. Banded sugar ants are a specific species of ants that live in Australia. “Sugar ants” here in McKinney is a term used to describe a range of invasive ants that cause trouble in and around homes. To help you better understand and identify these pests, here are a few key things every local homeowner should know.

What Ants Are Considered To Be Sugar Ants?

Sugar ants are any ants that are attracted to sweet things. In McKinney, there are a few different species of ants that fit this bill. Here is how to identify each and what problems they cause around area homes.
Odorous house ants are 1/16- to ⅛-inch-long brown to black insects that regularly invade homes in our area. You can further identify this pest by the uneven shape of its abdomen. Apart from scavenging for food around homes, odorous house ants are known for the pungent odor they release when squished or threatened. People describe this odor as smelling like rotting coconuts.
Carpenter ants are the largest species of ants in our area and grow to be ⅝” long. Their bodies can be red, black, or a combination of these two colors. What makes these invasive insects terrible home pests is the way they tunnel their nests into structural wood. If your home’s wood has sections that are water damaged, rotting, or in decay, these pests may come inside and cause damage.
Rover ants are 1/10-inch-long, pale yellow to blackish-brown pests that live both in and around homes. You are most likely to find these invasive insects crawling around bathrooms, kitchens, and living areas during the hot summer months. Rover ants are not dangerous or destructive and are only an annoyance with the way they scavenge for food.

The Dangers Of Sugar Ants

Most species of sugar ants that live in our area are not dangerous and pose no threat to your health. The only ants that might cause you harm are fire ants and Pharaoh ants. A fire ant has a stinger and a pair of powerful mandibles which it uses to bite prey. A Pharaoh ant, on the other hand, poses a risk to human health with the bacteria it can spread around homes. Some notable sicknesses people contract from this pest are salmonellosis and staphylococcus.

Prevention Tips To Keep Ants Out Of Your Home

Because different ants invade homes for different reasons, it is important to employ a range of general prevention tips when trying to keep these pests out of your home. To help you with this, here are some practical places to start.

Clean up your yard of clutter and debris and keep your grass and landscaping well maintained.
Address problems with your home’s gutter system making sure they are clean and working properly.
Use a caulking gun to fill in holes, gaps, and cracks in your home’s exterior.
Repair damage to your home’s piping and fixtures.
Use a dehumidifier indoors.
Replace or repair wood around your home that is water damaged, rotting, or in decay.
Thoroughly clean your living areas.
Store leftover foods inside airtight containers

For additional help keeping sugar ants out of your McKinney home, take advantage of a locally provided pest control plan. At Around The Block Pest Control, we offer amazing solutions designed to keep a wide range of pests out of your home.

Call our team today with questions you have about sugar ants or to schedule your McKinney home for a service visit.

Tags: species of ants | pest prevention | mckinney pest control

Are Sugar Ants In McKinney Dangerous?

6/15/2021

There is a big difference between sugar ants and ants that like sugar. Almost all ants like sugar and eat sweat things. Banded sugar ants are a specific species of ants that live in Australia. “Sugar ants” here in McKinney is a term used to describe a range of invasive ants that cause trouble in and around homes. To help you better understand and identify these pests, here are a few key things every local homeowner should know.

What Ants Are Considered To Be Sugar Ants?

Sugar ants are any ants that are attracted to sweet things. In McKinney, there are a few different species of ants that fit this bill. Here is how to identify each and what problems they cause around area homes.
Odorous house ants are 1/16- to ⅛-inch-long brown to black insects that regularly invade homes in our area. You can further identify this pest by the uneven shape of its abdomen. Apart from scavenging for food around homes, odorous house ants are known for the pungent odor they release when squished or threatened. People describe this odor as smelling like rotting coconuts.
Carpenter ants are the largest species of ants in our area and grow to be ⅝” long. Their bodies can be red, black, or a combination of these two colors. What makes these invasive insects terrible home pests is the way they tunnel their nests into structural wood. If your home’s wood has sections that are water damaged, rotting, or in decay, these pests may come inside and cause damage.
Rover ants are 1/10-inch-long, pale yellow to blackish-brown pests that live both in and around homes. You are most likely to find these invasive insects crawling around bathrooms, kitchens, and living areas during the hot summer months. Rover ants are not dangerous or destructive and are only an annoyance with the way they scavenge for food.

The Dangers Of Sugar Ants

Most species of sugar ants that live in our area are not dangerous and pose no threat to your health. The only ants that might cause you harm are fire ants and Pharaoh ants. A fire ant has a stinger and a pair of powerful mandibles which it uses to bite prey. A Pharaoh ant, on the other hand, poses a risk to human health with the bacteria it can spread around homes. Some notable sicknesses people contract from this pest are salmonellosis and staphylococcus.

Prevention Tips To Keep Ants Out Of Your Home

Because different ants invade homes for different reasons, it is important to employ a range of general prevention tips when trying to keep these pests out of your home. To help you with this, here are some practical places to start.

Clean up your yard of clutter and debris and keep your grass and landscaping well maintained.
Address problems with your home’s gutter system making sure they are clean and working properly.
Use a caulking gun to fill in holes, gaps, and cracks in your home’s exterior.
Repair damage to your home’s piping and fixtures.
Use a dehumidifier indoors.
Replace or repair wood around your home that is water damaged, rotting, or in decay.
Thoroughly clean your living areas.
Store leftover foods inside airtight containers

For additional help keeping sugar ants out of your McKinney home, take advantage of a locally provided pest control plan. At Around The Block Pest Control, we offer amazing solutions designed to keep a wide range of pests out of your home.

Call our team today with questions you have about sugar ants or to schedule your McKinney home for a service visit.

Tags: species of ants | pest prevention | mckinney pest control