Ants Control

How Did I Get Ants?

There are many reasons you may have ants, it doesn’t always mean there is a sanitation problem. Some ants prefer human or pet food, some may eat other bugs and others that may feed on fungus.  Leaving dirty dishes in the sink, food residue on countertops, or even having a leaky pipe or roof could be what brought them to your home or office. What starts with a few foragers coming inside can lead to a major problem.

How Serious Are Ants?

One of the biggest problems related to ants in the home is food contamination. Ants can carry bacteria on their bodies, which spreads when they crawl in pantries and across countertops. Only a few species are known to transmit diseases, but finding any type of ant in a pantry or other places inside your home is an unpleasant experience.

Some species, like carpenter and fire ants, cause additional problems. A carpenter ant infestation may be a sign of water leak or wood rot issue. Fire ant stings that can cause pain and more serious symptoms that could result in an allergic reactions to some people who are hyper-sensitive to ant stings.

 

 

 

 

 

Ant control can be difficult, but here are some things you should know about how ants’ behavior that can help to get them under control:

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Entry:

Ants can enter through even the tiniest cracks, seeking water and sweet or greasy food substances in the kitchen pantry or storeroom areas.
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Scent trails:

Ants leave an invisible chemical trail which contains pheromones for others to follow once they locate the food source.
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Nest locations:

They can nest about anywhere in and around your house; in lawns, walls, stumps, even under foundations.
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Colony size:

Colonies can number from a few 1,000 to 1,000,000+ workers, and whole colonies can uproot and relocate quickly when threatened.

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Colony Lifetime

A colony can live a relatively long lifetime. Worker ants may live seven years, and the queen may live as long as 15 years.
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Do it yourself effectiveness:

Most do-it-yourself ant control approaches kill only the ants you see. Some truly effective treatments can penetrate and destroy nests to help prevent these pests from returning. Also, home remedies don’t account for the fact that different kinds of ant species require different treatments or desire different foods.

What Methods Are Used To Treat Ants?

The first step in ant control is to properly identify what species of ants you are bothered with.  Products available to treat with include baits and contact insecticides, which can include liquid sprays, gel baits, liquid baits, granular baits and granular contact products.  Knowing the species of ant, how quick control is needed and how long you want control to last will all determine which products will work the best for your situation.  We will develop a treatment plan that is personalized to meet your requirements.

Ants Control

Think you have Ants?

Give us a call to schedule an evaluation and treatment for your residence or business. Then sit back and relax, you’re in good hands.

Contact Us

ABOUT US

We’re Broken Arrow Pest Control, LLC. Since 1976 the Shank family has been committed to being the best at what we do, serving those in Polk County, San Jacinto County, Tyler County, Jasper County, Angelina County, Liberty County, Walker County, Trinity County and the surrounding areas in Southeast Texas. We strive not just to meet your expectations, but to exceed them. Call today and have one of our pest professionals take care of the pest problems in your home or office.

CONTACT

936-933-0505 – Livingston

936-646-3600 – Onalaska

409-283-5073 – Woodville

Office Hours:

Monday-Friday
7:00 am – 7:00 pm

Service Hours:

Monday-Saturday
7:00 am – 7:00 pm

Saturday by appointment only. After business hours available for commercial services.

Mailing Address:
PO Box 115
Livingston, TX 77351

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Best Practices For
Maintaining Your Lawn

As a property owner, there are many things you can do to keep your lawn healthy and beautiful. By incorporating these best practices into your yard maintenance routine, you can ensure your lawn care service provider’s hard work lasts longer and is more effective.
  1. Water regularly. In general, turf requires one inch of water per week during the active growing season and should be adjusted based on weather conditions. It’s best to apply water in smaller amounts during the week instead of all at once. It’s also better to water in the morning or early afternoon during the heat of the day. Watering at night produces a wet lawn, creating ideal conditions for disease. Irrigation during heat and moisture stress periods can encourage turf recovery, reduce weed encroachment, and help alleviate certain diseases and insect damage.
  2. Maintain a recommended mowing height. Mowing height recommendations vary by grass type. Mow regularly and avoid removing more than one-third of the surface of the turf blade, as short mowing can damage the turf. Grasses with higher mowing heights can better compete with weeds and tolerate drought stress.
  3. Ensure mower blades are sharp, as dull mower blades tear the turf rather than cutting it and create a ragged appearance. Additionally, mow when your turf is dry to avoid clumps of clippings, which will smother the turf if they are not removed. Mowing dry turf allows even distribution of clippings over the lawn. The following is an overview of recommended mowing heights for various grass types.

    Turf type Recommended mowing height (in.) 1 Bermudagrass (common or hybrid) 0.75–2” Bahiagrass 2–4", Centipedegrass 1–1.5” St. Augustinegrass 2.5-4” and Zoysiagrass 0.75–2 3”.

  4. Don’t over-fertilize. While fertilization directly influences turf's ability to tolerate disease pressure, too much can be detrimental. Ensure your lawn is properly fertilized, but avoid adding too much fertilizer, which can cause unwanted damage such as yellowing, browning, or even kill healthy grass.
  5. Aerate soils that are subject to heavy traffic which are prone to compaction. Aeration can help loosen compacted soil, which helps water, air, and fertilizers reach the turf roots. It can also help with overseeding. Typically, you should aerate once or twice a season by removing small cylindrical cores of soil and thatch from your lawn. Tools like a mechanical core aerator can help with this process and can aerate a yard quickly to maximize the area covered. When the soil is moist, the best times for aerating cool-season turf are spring and fall. Warm season turf should be aerated in the summer.
  6. Manage shaded areas. Growing turf in shaded areas can be challenging. Turfgrass needs a significant amount of sunlight to thrive, and lawns can thin out when adequate amounts aren’t received. Pruning tree foliage to help increase the amount of filtered light, can help improve the look and feel of your lawn.
  7. Prevent brown patches. You may begin to see brown spots on your lawn that are likely caused by insects or disease rather than lack of water. If you begin to see damage, contact your lawn care service to develop a treatment plan to help stop the problem from spreading and protect the investment you have made in your lawn.
By incorporating these practices into your lawn care routine, you can create strong, dense turf which can better withstand weed and disease pressure throughout the season.