Have you noticed those pesky ants making their comeback as the weather warms up? It's a yearly ritual, but fortunately, there are effective ways to tackle them head-on. With expert help from Thomas Pest Services, you can keep them at bay and enjoy a pest-free home all season long.

Identifying Common Ants in New York

If you're not already familiar with the "repeat offender" ants that plague us every year in New York, they are acrobat ants, citronella ants, pavement ants, pharaoh ants, odorous house ants, and carpenter ants. Some of these pests are just a nuisance to have around, but some can spread harmful bacteria in your home. And one type of ant can eat you out of house and home--quite literally.

Carpenter Ant Identification

Among these, the most crucial ant to identify is the carpenter ant. This is the largest ant you'll find crawling around in your home. Carpenter ant workers can be as large as 1/2 an inch in length, with queens and winged carpenter ants as large as an inch. This ant is black, dark red, yellowish, or a mixture of these colors, depending on what species is invading your space. Its large size and the single node between its thorax and abdomen should be enough to effectively identify a carpenter ant. If you aren’t sure, compare the ant to our Pest Identification Tool. 

Ant Prevention

No matter which ants you have coming into your yard, controlling moisture is the best way to deter them. All ants like moisture, especially those carpenter ants. Here are a few ways you can control moisture around your home:

• Trim trees, bushes, and other vegetation to allow sunlight in shaded areas.
• Establish a 2-foot buffer zone around your home's foundation.
• Regularly inspect gutters for damage or obstructions, and address any issues you discover.
• Check exterior faucets and hoses for leaks, and fix the ones you find.
• Look for areas of compacted soil that holds rainwater.
• Consider replacing wooden garden borders with stone to deter moisture-loving ants.

Year-Round Pest Service

Protection from ant infestations is part of our year-round pest control plans. This is the best way to prevent ant problems because it also protects your family and your property from other pest threats such as mice, cockroaches, yellow jackets, spiders, mosquitoes, termites, and more.

Ongoing pest control service isn't just a quality of life upgrade; it is essential protection for the health of your family and the health of your home. If you live in our New York Capital Region and Hudson Valley service area, reach out to Thomas Pest Services to schedule a free home evaluation. We'll help you keep those pests under control.

With these proactive measures in place, you can enjoy a pest-free spring and summer, knowing your home is protected from unwanted invaders. Don't let ants or other pests ruin your season - take action today! Schedule a free home evaluation with Thomas Pest Services and keep your home pest-free all year round.