While they don’t all leave bites or hollow out your wood furniture or structures, ants can still be a nuisance in your house. Whether you’ve spotted a trail in the bathroom or seen stragglers on the kitchen counter, the sight alone can make your residence feel unclean and uncomfortable. If you need ant removal services, use the following guide to learn more about the insects and what you can do to keep them from coming back.

Common Ants in Missouri

The ant you are most likely to encounter in your Missouri home is the odorous house ant. Usually dark brown or black, these 2 mm- to 3 mm-long insects eat sweet foods, especially honeydew or nectar. You might also find them in areas that house moisture, such as plumbing and HVAC fixtures.

Pharoah ants also like to congregate around moisture, but they are usually smaller — around 1 mm to 2 mm. These light tan-colored pests hide inside holes in walls, electrical outlets, and baseboards. You might also find them in your kitchen snacking on proteins, sweets, and fats.

Another common Missouri pest is the larger yellow ant, which ranges from red to yellow and measures upwards of 4 mm in length. Homeowners often mistake them for termites because they can form soil nests around the property’s foundation. Eventually, they may find a way indoors.

How to Prevent Them From Invading

To avoid the need for ant removal in the first place, remove anything that could lure the insects into your home. For example, don’t leave dirty dishes in the sink or on the counter — clean or at least rinse them immediately. At the end of the day, wipe down your countertops, vacuum the floors, and store food in airtight containers.

You can also prevent an infestation by cutting off entry points. This includes filling holes or cracks in the home’s exterior and replacing any weatherstripping or caulking around windows, doors, pipes, and vents. If you store wood outside, keep the piles as far from your home as possible. Seal ant-attractive foods in glass or plastic jars or store them in the refrigerator.

Contact Jackson & Eagle Pest Management of West Plains, MO, for all your insect control needs. They have over 120 years of combined experience in the industry and have been serving residents of the Ozarks for over six decades. Whether you need bee, spider, roach, or ant removal, call (417) 256-6286 to request a free estimate. Visit the website to learn more about their services.