Ants are the last thing you need inside your Las Vegas home. These highly social insects build multiple colonies, making it extremely difficult to eliminate them for good. Learning the various species of ants is key to preventing ants in Las Vegas.
Regardless of species, all ants’ bodies are divided into three parts: the head, the thorax, and the abdomen. An ant has six legs on its middle section, or thorax. A small stinger sits at the end of the abdomen, and the head is equipped with two eyes, two antennae, and a set of pincers.
Three species of ants live in the Las Vegas area, and each type may seek to forage for food in your home: pavement ants, harvester ants, and Argentine ants.
As their name implies, you’ll see pavement ants on paved areas. They are relatively small, dark brown to black in color, and will eat just about anything. These ants make nests in cracks and crevices in and around paved surfaces like sidewalks, cement slabs, driveways and foundations.
Harvester ants are half an inch or less in size. They can be red, brown, or black and may have beard-like hairs under their heads. As their name indicates, they harvest seeds to feed their colonies, which are located in open grassy areas like parks, yards, and golf courses.
Argentine ants are the most difficult to control in a residential setting. You’ve probably seen these dark brown or black ants traveling in a line along fences, up the sides of buildings and possibly in your house. They are always on the lookout for food for their colonies, of which there could be many. Argentine ants are known for creating multiple nesting sites in moist areas – under rocks, near fallen trees, in mulch, and near sidewalks. They’re also quite fond of hanging out in kitchens and bathrooms.
An ant’s sole purpose in life is to feed its colony. The search for food is what brings them into your home. They’ll eat anything and everything, from veggies and meats, sugary liquids, cheese, pet food, and even grease. Keeping your kitchen and pantry area free of open food is key to keeping these ants at bay.
The trouble is, these food items can be found in many places around a typical Vegas home, including trash cans, outdoor pet food bowls, composters, gardens, and patios. And rest assured, if one ant locates a food source, it's friends will quickly follow en masse to gorge on the find.
Ants may also seek the shelter of your home during extremely hot or cold temperatures, or during periods of heavy rain.
When it comes to ants, prevention is truly the best pest control strategy in Las Vegas. Keeping them from finding sources of food should be your first priority. Here are eight ways to keep ants out of your home.
A thorough cleaning is a great place to start. Since they are attracted by food, eliminate their access to food and crumbs. Here are 8 helpful tips to get you started:
While you can take steps to prevent ants on your own, the best form of ant prevention in Las Vegas comes with professional assistance. Contact the pest control professionals at Red Rock Pest Control to keep your Las Vegas home free of these invasive insects.
