You've probably noticed that it is starting to warm up. That's because spring has sprung. It happens every year. You know what else happens every year? Ants come back to life. That means, now is the perfect time to take care of ant prevention.

If you're not aware of 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 ant pests are just a nuisance to have around. Some can spread harmful bacteria in your home. And one can eat you out of house and home--quite literally.

When it comes to identifying ants, the most important ant to be able to identify is the carpenter ant. Carpenter ants chew tunnels and galleries inside wood and are able to do significant damage to a home over time.

Carpenter Ant Identification

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 being as large as an inch. This ant is black, dark red, yellowish, or a mixture of these colors, depending on what species you have crawling around in your home. Its large size and the single node between its thorax and abdomen should be enough to effectively identify a carpenter ant.

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 the sun to dry rainwater in shaded locations.

• Try to establish a 2-foot buffer area around the foundation perimeter of your home.

• Inspect your gutters for damage or obstructions, and address any issues you discover.

• Inspect exterior spigots and hoses for any leaks, and apply repairs.

• Address any areas where there is compacted soil that holds rainwater.

• Consider replacing wooden garden and flower bed borders with a stone border.

Year-Round Pest Service

Protection from ant infestations are part of our year-round pest control plans. This is the best way to prevent ant problem 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 service area, reach out to Thomas Pest Services to schedule a free home evaluation. We'll get you on the right track to keeping all of those pests under control.