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Birmingham Homeowners' Guide To Effective Ant Control

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Ant control is a major issue for many Alabama homes during the warmer months, and Birmingham is no exception. Ants in Birmingham can ruin a picnic, infest your kitchen, contaminate your food, and generally cause a great deal of annoyance and inconvenience. It's best to take steps to prevent them from getting inside before they become a problem, but many homeowners don't know how to do this. Our team at EnviroCare helps people like you understand proper ant control techniques. Pest control in Birmingham doesn't have to be difficult or confusing; this article will help you figure out how to keep ants out of your home.

Common Types Of Ants That Plague Birmingham Homes

Before we discuss how to get rid of ants, you should know about some of the common types of ants you might encounter in Birmingham and how to handle them. Two common types of ants that you may deal with are fire ants and house ants. All ants have six legs, two antennae, and three distinct body sections – the head, the thorax, and the abdomen. Fire ants are the most distinctive due to their dark reddish-brown color. They are usually between 1/8 and 3/8 of an inch long. Their nests are typically large mounds that are flattened and irregular in shape. House ants are smaller than fire ants on average, ranging from 1/16 to 1/8 of an inch in length. They are usually brown or black. These ants are also known as "odorous house ants" because of the strong, unpleasant smell they give off when crushed. Now that you know how to identify two common ant species in the Birmingham area, let's answer an important question, "are ants dangerous?"

An Ant Infestation Can Be More Than Just A Nuisance

Most species of ants are not dangerous in the traditional sense. Fire ants are known to sting, which can be quite painful. They can also cause allergic reactions in people with allergies to insect venom; if this is the case, medical attention is usually necessary. The real danger of ants is their ability to contaminate food and infest food preparation areas. An ant infestation in your home means your food is at risk of becoming contaminated and inedible. Ants are very good at getting to food that isn't tightly sealed.

Five Useful Ant Prevention Techniques

Now you know the risks of having ants in your Birmingham home, you'll want an answer to the question, "how do you get rid of ants?" While the removal of ants is often best left to the professionals, you can take steps to make sure that they don't get inside in the first place.

Here are five simple ant prevention techniques:

  1. Don't leave food out overnight. 
  2. Store all food in sealed containers. 
  3. Take out the trash frequently. 
  4. Clean your kitchen daily. 
  5. Seal any openings in the exterior of your home.

These tips should help keep ants away but won't get ants out of your home if they're already inside. For that, you'll need some assistance from a professional Birmingham ant control company.

The Trick To Total Ant Control For Your Home

The best way to handle an ant infestation is to contact an ant control service near your home. In Birmingham, EnviroCare Pest & Lawn Services is the professional service for you. We've been helping homeowners in Alabama with their pest problems since 1958. Our family-owned company strives to provide our customers with detailed, personal, environmentally responsible services. Until you're satisfied, our job's not done. Contact EnviroCare Pest & Lawn Services today for help with ants, and to learn more about our residential and commercial pest control services in Birmingham.