How Can I Prevent Ants In My Katy Home?

Owning a home in Katy is a real blessing, but what happens when your property has to endure the curse of an ant infestation? Ants are tiny pests that, though minuscule in size, can cause some very big problems around your house. Depending on the species, they pose different threats to local properties and everyone inside of them.

For instance, carpenter ants pose a huge risk for property damage. These wood-burrowing invaders compromise the structural timbers of your home, putting you and your loved ones in harm’s way – not to mention posing a threat to your finances. Other species pose more of a threat due to their ability to contaminate food sources and spread germs throughout your home. By leaving droppings and spreading bacteria around vulnerable surfaces and food prep areas, you become exposed to contamination and a long list of illnesses.

Whatever species you’re dealing with, the bottom line is that ant infestation is a real threat, and as a local homeowner, it’s important to address your ant control and prevention needs. If you’re looking for quality ant control in Katy, the team at Modern Pest Control is here to help. We offer year-round coverage from a household ant infestation, giving you and your loved ones dependable protection from ant activity.

Why Ants Are Becoming A Problem For Katy Homeowners

There are many factors to consider when it comes to household ant infestation. Ants enter our homes looking for harborage, sources of moisture, and food to feed their large colonies. Wherever they can access these essentials, those areas are more susceptible to ant activity.

So, it makes sense why ants are a common problem for Katy homeowners. Where better for them to score food, water, and shelter than inside of your comfortable home? Unfortunately, while they’re getting cozy inside, they make everyone inside the house feel very uncomfortable. Here in Texas, there are a variety of common ant species. Here are some of the species we deal with most frequently here at Modern Pest Control:

Acrobat Ants - These ants are known for and named after their acrobatic ability to raise their abdomen over their thorax and head. Acrobat ants are more of a nuisance than a real threat, though they can bite when their colonies are disturbed or when they feel threatened. These ants can live at altitudes of up to 8,000 feet. In terms of size, workers measure 1/8 inches in length, while the queen measures 3/8 inches in length on average. They have six legs, have antennae, and are usually light brown to black in color. You can identify them by their segmented bodies and heart-shaped abdomens.
Carpenter Ants - These are the largest ants you’ll find in your home. They do not sting, but they may bite if prompted. The real threat they pose is that they weaken the structural integrity of your property by excavating damage and nesting in gallery tunnels. They’re black, or a mixture of red and black, and they have long, thin antenna coming out of their abdomen. They create parent colonies outside of the home with populations of over 15,000 workers. One carpenter ant can travel up to 300 feet from the nest, spreading the population and leading to a larger infestation. They prefer moist, decayed wood, but they are also known to infest sound wood as well. Indications include wood shavings left behind or active swarmer ants flying around.
Fire Ants - These are more aggressive ants that sting when they feel disturbed, causing large welts and sometimes severe allergic reactions. Fire ant bites can cause an adverse reaction to your skin, as they release a venom that causes a burning sensation. That’s where they get their name from. Fire ants inhabit open sunny areas in irrigated soil, nesting in large mounds where they house their colonies and build intricate tunneling systems underground. Their nests resemble sandy mounds in the earth that can be almost a foot tall. They usually nest around yards, gardens, parks, and roads.
Odorous House Ants - These ants are known for the putrid odor they emit. This smell is a way for them to indicate to the other members of their colony that they’ve found a food source. They do not sting or bite, but they smell like rotten coconuts when they are crushed. Their nests are often located outside in the soil, under rocks, or other objects in the yard. When food becomes scarce in their colony, they seek alternate food sources inside your home. Odorous house ants can grow their colonies to as large as 100,000 workers and multiple queens.
Rover Ants - These ants are very small in size, and while they’re not aggressive in nature, they invade properties in large numbers and are known to be very fast. They are pale yellow to blackish-brown in color, and they have large eyes compared to the size of their heads. Rover ants are attracted to moisture, and they’re most active during the spring and summer seasons, building their colonies around rot or fungal decay. They can travel far distances and invade properties quickly and in large numbers, becoming a real nuisance for homeowners.
Tawny Crazy Ants - They’re one of the smaller ant species in Texas, measuring about 1/10 inch in length. They are a reddish-brown color, and they travel in a zig zag pattern rather than a straight line. You can distinguish them by their movements, characterized by running around erratically and confused by disruption. Tawny crazy ants don’t sting but can bite when prompted. They often nest near electrical equipment, damaging wiring, televisions, DVD players, light fixtures, etc.

While each species comes with its own set of dangers, the common uniting factor is that infestation can grow out of control rather quickly. Due to their small size, it can be difficult to pinpoint the source of an ant infestation and get to the bottom of the problem.

Generally, ants like damp areas that are soft and spongey, so you will commonly find them around areas with water damage, including attics, bathrooms, exterior walls, plumbing, and pipes. It’s also a good idea to check for ants around open doors and windows, small cracks and holes in the inner house walls, window frames, and other areas with remote access.

If you think there may be an ant problem in your home, the most effective way to tackle the issue is to reach out to your local pest professionals. That’s the only guaranteed way to detect, exterminate, and prevent ant infestation on a year-round basis. No matter what species you’re dealing with, the team at Modern Pest Control can help you battle infestation and reduce your exposure to ant activity moving forward.

How To Prevent Ants From Getting Into Your Katy Home

If you’re looking to prevent ants from getting into your Katy home, it’s essential to be as proactive as possible. Taking the proper preventative measures around your property can help you avoid an ant infestation. Getting ahead of the problem is important because the faster you’re able to address any ant activity, the more effective you will be in minimizing the scope of the infestation. Here are some helpful tips for preventing ant infestation around your home:

Always keep branches, trees, and bushes well-trimmed and directed away from the house.
Apply weather stripping or mortar around the foundation.
Avoid leaving any pet food out and store it in sealed plastic bins.
Be sure to address any exposed attractants (sugar, grease, spills, etc.)
Check your gutters to make sure rainwater isn’t soaking your outside walls and perimeter soil.
Clean around ant entrances to eliminate their pheromone trail.
Do not store any wood sources near your home.
Fix leaky pipes, faulty faucets, and malfunctioning drains.
Get rid of any standing water and any sources of excess moisture.
Install ant baits in areas where ants are active or conducive to activity.
Keep all surfaces clean (sweep floors, wipe up spills, etc.)
Keep all your mulch less than three inches deep.
Keep downspouts and gutters functional to direct water away from the foundation.
Maintain a high level of cleanliness and practice proper sanitation.
Practice proper yard maintenance and keep leaves raked away from your foundation walls.
Promptly clean up spills and crumbs and keep food in tightly sealed containers.
Put a dehumidifier in moisture-rich areas of the house like basements, crawl spaces, and attics.
Reduce access points by sealing all cracks and crevices around the outside of the home.
Repair leaky spigots or hoses to reduce excess moisture.
Seal cracks, crevices, and potential entry points with caulk
Take out garbage regularly and keep it in a trashcan outside with a lid.
Wipe down counters, sticky jars, or sugary residue that will attract ants.

While these preventative tips are a great way to be proactive in your ant control efforts, the truth is, ants are sneaky, and they sometimes manage to get inside anyway, exposing you and your loved ones to infestation. Your best bet is professional pest control, and Modern Pest Control is here to help.

What's Attracting All These Ants?

Before you can address ant activity in your home, it’s a good idea to understand where these intruders are coming from in the first place. What is it that is attracting ants into your home? Ant infestation often starts off small, escalating from one ant colony into a full-blown infestation rather quickly.

If you’re wondering why ants came to your space in the first place, there are a variety of attractants around your property to keep in mind. Remember that these small invaders are looking for food, water, and shelter around your house, so anywhere they can access these sources is at risk. Here are some of the common conditions conducive to a household ant infestation:

Accessible food sources such as any food you accidentally leave out
Cracks and crevices in the walls and siding
Moisture damage and any leaks or drainage problems
Ripped/torn window and door screens that ants can fit through
Small cracks or gaps in the foundation that ants can access
Sources of standing water throughout the property
The presence of food, spills, or messes with sugary residue
Unaddressed mess or crumbs on the countertop or floor
Used/dirty dishes left in the sink for too long

Unfortunately, these attractants are common in many Katy households, contributing to why an infestation can be such a problem. It’s challenging to stay on top of everything alone, and that’s why the most reliable way to protect yourself from an ant infestation is to call in the experts.

Call Modern Pest Control For Complete Ant Control For Your Katy Home

Whether you currently suspect an ant problem in your Katy home or you simply want to be proactive in your prevention efforts moving forward, your best bet is professional pest solutions. Here at Modern Pest Control, we work hard to bring local homeowners comprehensive ant control and prevention services.

Our process starts with a thorough inspection, in which we determine the nature of the infestation, including all active ants, conducive conditions, entry points, and harborage areas. Once we identify problem areas, we get right to work strategizing a treatment plan that is best suited to meet your needs. We craft our ant solutions around the specific needs of your home and the particular ant species at hand. The team at Modern Pest Control has a lot of experience dealing with common Texas ants, and we’ve seen all kinds of infestations.

Get in touch with us today to secure year-round coverage from ant infestation. Our ongoing goal is to bring you lasting protection from ants, keeping your home and your loved ones safe from harm. Addressing your control and prevention needs is the best, most powerful, and most effective way to guard your house against an ant infestation.

Call us today, and we will schedule your initial inspection right away. We look forward to bringing your Katy home the quality ant protection you deserve.