Why Now Is The Time To Be On The Lookout For Ants In Tampa

Many Tampa residents notice ants crawling around their homes during this time of year. The warm, subtropical temperatures make Tampa the perfect destination for many types of ants. And while it can seem like ants are constantly a nuisance everywhere in this area, several factors can draw ants to your home. 

At EcoSmart Pest Solutions, we are a locally-owned company with decades of experience dealing with the common types of ants in this area. Our Tampa pest control technicians understand why ants invade a specific property and how to get them to leave quickly. Keep reading to learn why now is the time that you need to be on the lookout for ants.

Why Tampa Homeowners Are Seeing Ants

Ants become active during the spring and summer months as this is the time of year when the reproductive ants will leave their nest to go and find a mate and start a new colony. Ants in Tampa prefer to live outdoors in the summer when the weather is warm and humid. If you are seeing ants in your home during the summer months, it means they cannot find what they need outdoors. Some of the different reasons why you might see ants in your home include:

• Rain: While ants need water to survive, too much can destroy their nest. Tampa is known for receiving heavy rainfalls and flash floods during the spring and summer. If you are seeing an increased amount of rain outside, you may start to see more ants inside. 
• Lack of food: Ants are carnivores that will eat a variety of fruits and vegetables as well as dead insects and other animals. If the extreme temperatures ruin nearby crops, it could take away the ants' food source, which means that they will likely come into your home to find their next meal.
• Drought: While Tampa is known for its heavy rainfall, it can also get unseasonably dry from time to time. This year, Tampa is having one of its driest summers in years and has not received nearly as much rainfall as it usually does. If you have any leaky pipes or moisture issues in your home, you might have an ant infestation in the near future. 

While ants can be seen in your home any time of the year, the summer tends to bring unique climate changes that could drive the ants into your home. 

All The Problems Ants Cause Inside Homes The Infest

Ants are known for their annoying ability to infest a home quickly. But these bacteria-ridden pests are much more than just a nuisance. They can be a danger to you and your family. Ants are known to contaminate food and other areas of your home if allowed to walk around your kitchen. Some illnesses you can catch from ants in your home include salmonellosis, E. coli infections, streptococcus, clostridium, and staph infections. If you see ants in your food packages, you should throw them out immediately. 

Why Prevention Beats Treatment When It Comes To Ants

When an ant colony invades your home, you could have several thousand ants living in your walls, under your sink, above your attic, and in other difficult-to-access areas. They are also able to multiply at an extremely fast rate. A queen ant's only job is to mate and produce offspring. On average, a queen can lay about 800 eggs in one day. If you have an ant colony living in your home for more than a few months, you could have over 200,000 ants living in your house. 

Many ant control treatments are ineffective on ant eggs. Your home will likely need multiple treatments to eliminate an infestation and the baby ants once they hatch from their eggs.

The best way to keep your house ant-free is to prevent an ant infestation. To do this, you should make your home as inhospitable as possible. Eliminate their food source by keeping all dry food in a sealed container and keeping a tight lid on your trash cans. You should also fix any moisture issues in your home to remove their water source. 

How Professional Pest Control Minimizes Your Risk For Ants

The best way to ensure that ants cannot infest your home is to have your home professionally treated. At EcoSmart Pest Solutions, we are committed to keeping everyone in your home safe by safely eliminating all dangerous pests. Give us a call today to get your free quote on professional home pest control in Tampa.