This is the time of year that ants in Hartford start to become active again. The days are getting longer, and the sun is warming up the pavement. This is a sign to the ants that it’s time to start getting busy for spring. You might start seeing them crawling around looking for food after being dormant all winter, or you might notice ant hills around your Hartford home as they start emerging for spring. Most ants are harmless and are nothing more than an annoyance, but some can be damaging so it’s important to pay attention. Here’s what you should know about the two most common types of ants you'll come across in Hartford.
Pavement ants are the type of ants that you see scurrying around sidewalks, driveways, and cracks in the road. They are black or brown in color with legs that are usually a bit lighter than their segmented body. They like to make their homes under the pavement, hence their name. While they are harmless in that they don’t bite and rarely sting, they can be annoying if they get into your home and into your food.
Carpenter ants are really the ones you need to look out for as they can do some damage to your Hartford home. They are bigger in size than the pavement ant, growing up to one inch, and are black or reddish in color. Carpenter ants will send scouts looking for food, so you might not realize you have a problem if you only see one or two but seeing them is a surefire sign that the colony is not far away. They will tunnel into dampened wood and can do damage to the structural integrity of your home.
The easiest way to prevent ants from coming into your home is to not provide them with any food sources. Keep jars and bottles of sticky food like honey and syrup clean and closed tightly. Wipe up counters of any spills and crumbs quickly. Make sure the insides of cabinets are clean and aren’t harboring any spilled food. Seal up loaves of bread, cereals, grains, nuts, and pet food to keep ants out. Inspect your home and make sure windows and doors are caulked and sealed. Repair any cracks in siding or the foundation. Trim back plants and tree branches away from the house, these can give ants an easy way to climb right in. Cover up and seal your trash both indoors and outdoors as well.
If you are finding ants in your Hartford area home or are just trying to prevent them in the first place, ongoing pest prevention services are what you need. American Pest Solutions can do an inspection of your property, come up with a treatment plan, and provide ongoing maintenance to make sure you don’t have to deal with worrisome ants anymore.