March 05, 2024

Ant Extermination in Edinburg: Tips from the Pros

Want to drive ants away from your home but not sure about the right method or pesticide? This is the article you need. As a renowned ant exterminator in Edinburg, here are 7 tips to make your home ant-free.

Ant Extermination Tips in Edinburg

1.    Verify if it’s an Ant or Termite Problem

There are several instances where people mistake termites for ants and vice versa. The solutions for ant extermination then fail or are not as effective.

Ants and termites are often confused due to their similar size and appearance. However, there are distinct characteristics that can help you differentiate between ants and termites:

The first difference is impact. Ants usually infest food and hidden corners, but termites target wooden objects. While it’s not a rule, and ants do target wooden materials, they rarely destroy them.

Another significant difference is their waist. Ants have a narrow or constricted waist, while termites have a broad waist. Additionally, ants have three body segments (head, thorax, and abdomen), while termites have two (head and elongated thorax-abdomen combination).

So first, ensure that the insects inside the house are ants and not termites.

2.    Identify Ant Species

The species of the ant matter in effective pest control because different ant species have distinct behaviors, preferences, and responses to control methods. For example, if you’re laying bait, knowing the species will help with deploying the most responsive bait.

Knowing the local ant species also helps in rotating or selecting alternative pesticides to avoid resistance issues. Note that over time, pests and insects develop resistance to pesticides. So, pesticides that are effective for certain ants may not deliver for others.

Furthermore, different ant species nest in different locations and structures, such as soil, wood, or wall voids. Understanding where ants build their nests allows for targeted treatments to disrupt their colonies effectively.

Texas harbors different ant species. But the most common ones are:

• Red Imported Fire Ant (Solenopsis invicta): Known for their aggressive behavior and painful stings, these ants build large mound nests in soil.
• Texas Leafcutter Ant (Atta texana): Recognized for their leaf-cutting behavior, these ants cultivate fungus for food and are often found in grassy areas.
• Carpenter Ants (Camponotus spp.): These ants are known for nesting in wood and can cause structural damage. They vary in size and color.

3.    Identify Ant Infestation Source

Ants target an area for very specific reasons: food and shelter. Either they’re looking for food or a place to stay.

In most cases, simply locating and eliminating the source of infestation can solve the problem.

If the ants are attracted to a food item, remove it and repackage it in an air-tight jar. This will prevent access and force the ants to retreat.

If, however, the ants are inside your house for shelter, the removal process is a bit more complicated. You’d have to follow ant trails to find the nest. Look for entry points, such as cracks, gaps, or openings in walls, floors, or foundations. Ants may nest in wall voids, under flooring, or in other hidden areas. Then, destroy the nest from the ground up.

Ants usually move inwards into a home during the rainy season when the outside is logged with water.

4.    Employ Natural Methods First

When eliminating ant colonies, it’s easy to go for readily available pesticides. But pros recommend you to opt for natural methods first.

Natural methods are generally more environmentally sustainable. Synthetic pesticides can have adverse effects on non-target organisms, soil, water, and wildlife. Natural alternatives are less likely to cause long-term harm to ecosystems.

Also, the natural ingredients are safe for humans, pets, and the environment. This reduces the risk of exposure to potentially harmful chemicals commonly found in synthetic pesticides.

Vinegar is a readily available item in the kitchen. So use that first. Create a solution of equal parts water and white vinegar. Spray this solution along ant trails, entry points, and areas where ants are active. The strong smell of vinegar disrupts ant pheromone trails and can discourage them from returning.

You can also use peppermint oil. Mix a few drops of peppermint essential oil with water and spray the solution along ant pathways, entry points, and nest locations. Peppermint oil has a strong scent that ants dislike.

Other natural remedies you can try are coffee grounds, lemon juice, bay leaves, borax, and diatomaceous earth.

5.    Use Specific Baits for Ant Extermination

Using baits for ant extermination involves strategically placing bait stations in areas where ants are active. The idea is that worker ants will take the bait back to the colony. This ultimately leads to the elimination of the entire colony.

Select a bait that is attractive to the target ant species. Baits are typically available in gel, liquid, or solid form. Some baits are specific to certain ant species, so choose accordingly.

Next, identify the areas where ants are actively foraging. Ants follow specific trails between their nest and food sources. Look for these trails near entry points, along baseboards, or around food storage areas.

Set up bait stations along ant trails and near their entry points. Place stations in areas where children and pets cannot access them. Ensure the bait is easily accessible to ants but protected from the elements.

After some time, they will carry the bait substance back to the colony.

But please note that baiting is not an immediate solution. It takes time for the bait to be distributed within the colony, and results may not be visible immediately. Be patient and allow the process to work.

6.    Go for the Queen for a Permanent Solution

Want to get rid of the ants permanently? Go for the queen.

The queen is the reproductive female in the colony responsible for laying eggs, and her primary role is to ensure the colony’s population growth. Queens are usually larger than other ants in the colony and may have wings during the mating phase.

Under the queen are worker ants and male ants. Worker ants are sterile females that perform various tasks to maintain and support the colony. They’re the ones who invade your home in search of food and take it back to the colony.

Male ants have the sole purpose of mating with the queen. They are typically winged during the mating phase and do not live long after mating. Unlike worker ants, males do not engage in tasks related to foraging, nursing, or colony defense.

By eliminating the queen, you essentially eliminate the colony.

Eliminating the queen in an ant colony is a challenging task because queens are often well-protected and hidden within the nest.

Baiting is one way to hunt the queen. But it takes time.

In outdoor nests, pouring boiling water into the nest entrance can potentially reach the queen and kill her. This method is more suitable for ant nests in the soil.

Professional ant exterminators in Edinburg can better guide you if you want to hunt down the queen.

7.    If DIYing, Abide by the laws

There are laws governing pest control in Edinburg, Texas. So, if you’re doing it yourself, it’s necessary to follow the laws.

While the list is long, there’s one particular law you need to focus on Sec. 1951.051. “It says any individual who does not hold a license under this chapter may use insecticides, pesticides, rodenticides, fumigants, or allied chemicals or substances or mechanical devices designed to prevent, control, or eliminate pest infestations unless:

• That use is prohibited by state law or rule.
• That use is prohibited by the rule of the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
• The substance used is labeled as a restricted-use pesticide or a state-limited-use pesticide.

In other words, ensure you’re using an approved substance for ant extermination.

ESPARZA Professional Ant Exterminator in Edinburg

Ant extermination requires specialized skills. To be on the safer side and keep ants at bay, it makes sense to opt for a professional ant extermination service in Edinburg to get the job done.

Looking for a professional ant exterminator? Claim your peace of mind with Esparza, a professional ant exterminator in Edinburg! Get complimentary inspections and quotes to ensure complete satisfaction. Contact us today to discover more.