What are ants?

Living in structured nests and social communities throughout the world, ants are among the most common and troublesome pests that homeowners deal with on a routine basis. Ants live outside all around us and don't hesitate to make our yards and homes into their nesting and foraging sites. Their ability to maintain multiple nests and work together as a team makes them a pest that is frustrating to deal with and difficult to avoid.

Ants are insects and belong to the order Hymenoptera, the same order as wasps and bees. Like wasps and bees, ants have a narrow waist, and many species have a stinger extending from the hind end. Other physical features include three body segments; head, abdomen, and thorax, large heads, bent antennae, and powerful, cutting mouthparts.

Are Ants Dangerous?

Ants can be dangerous to both people and properties. Luckily, most ants that try to share our yards and homes are viewed mainly as nuisance pests.

Dangers that are associated with ants and why it is so necessary to keep ants away from our yards and homes include the following:

Spreading bacteria and disease-causing pathogens
Contaminating food
Causing damage to the structure of your home
Biting or stinging

Why do I have an ant problem?

Ants are omnivores and feed on many different foods; some of their favorites include nectar, seeds, fungus, proteins, fruits, vegetables, and insects. Like other living creatures, ants like to live in spaces that allow them to access food easily. Unfortunately for us, our properties often provide ants with a never-ending supply of food.

Things in our yards that attract ants include trash cans, recycling bins, gardens, grills, pet food bowls, and flowering plants and trees.

Once ants discover food, they lay down a pheromone trail to alert the rest of the colony. As ants trail through our yards, they will eventually find their way into our homes to continue searching for new food sources.

Where Will I Find Ants?

Ants live worldwide in many different habitats, with tropical rainforests housing large populations of these insects. But, as we all know, ants don't just live in the rainforest; unfortunately for us, they live throughout the United States, in very large numbers!

Ants living in Orange County build their nests in both indoor and outdoor locations, with some of their favorites nesting sites including:

The damp soil under mulch in gardens and flowerbeds.
Raised garden beds.
Under landscaping ties and woodpiles.
Near tree stumps and fallen trees.
Behind wall voids.
In crawl spaces and attics.
In roof eaves.
Under floors.

If you see ants traveling in trails through your yard or home, contact a professional who can identify the exact species and then find and treat all their nesting sites to ensure the elimination of the entire infestation.

How can I prevent ants in the future?

"Better For You. Better For The Planet." Trust Pacific Shore Pest Control to solve your pest problems. On top of our pest control services, help guard your property against ants with the help of our easy to execute pest prevention tips:

Eliminate entry points by sealing all openings leading into your home; seal cracks in the foundation and exterior walls, place weatherstripping around windows and doors, and place covers over vents.
Create a barrier between any mulch or grass and your foundation.
Ants love our pet's food; pick up any uneaten food.
Quickly clean up crumbs and spills from counters and tables.
Get rid of water sources by repairing leaky pipes, ventilating your home, and removing areas of standing water.
Remove trash from your house regularly and place it outside in trash containers with tight-fitting lids.
Keep your kitchen as neat and tidy and free of food debris as possible.

How Do I Get Rid Of Ants?

Ants are a year-round threat for home and business owners living in Southern California. To keep ants from using your home as a place to nest and gather food, it is best to partner with a local professional. At Pacific Shore Pest Control, we want to help you protect what matters most to you: your family and your home.

Using green and organic pest control solutions, we provide pest control services to eliminate ants and keep them from returning.

To learn more about safeguarding your Orange County, CA home from ants through our residential or commercial pest control services, reach out to Pacific Shore Pest Control today!

Continue Reading Read Less

Request Your Free Quote

Schedule Today! Please enter your contact information below and a pest control representative will contact you soon.

First Name
Please enter your first name.
Last Name
Please enter your last name.
Phone
Please enter your phone number.

This isn't a valid phone number.
Email
Please enter your email address.

This isn't a valid email address.
Address
Please enter address
City
Please enter your city.
Zip Code
Please enter your zip code.
I am interested in
How did you hear about us?
Preferred Date
Are you a new customer?
Please make a selection.
Comments
By submitting, you agree to be contacted about your request & other information using automated technology. Message frequency varies. Msg & data rates may apply. Text STOP to cancel. Acceptable Use Policy
No mobile information will be shared with third parties/affiliates for marketing/promotional purposes.

What Pacific Shore Customers Have To Say

Pacific Shore Pest Control received an average rating of 5 out of 5 stars from 58 reviews.

Great work Ricardo.
"Ricardo is always very good at what he does. Always asking if we have had any problems and to notify him anytime we do. Great work Ricardo."

- Ron M.
Very satisfied with service.
"Very satisfied with service. We have seen a noticeable reduction in pests around our condo complex."

- Mercene C.
Tech was on time and very professional.
"Tech was on time and very professional. He was also very respectful of property and throughout in his inspection."

- Yanine F.
Very appreciative of his help.
"Josh arrived on time. He thoroughly treated all areas of concern and made sure to clean up thoroughly afterwards as well. Very appreciative of his help."

- Nano M.
I'm super happy with this company!
"I'm super happy with this company! Mario has been servicing my place and is super kind, polite, and efficient. Thank you so much!"

- Jen M.
I'm impressed with the quality of service.
"The service was great and everything was explained very clearly. I've tried multiple companies over the years and I'm impressed with the quality of service."

- Alex G.

View All Reviews

Affiliations & Accreditations

Recent Blog Articles

Visit Our Blog