So, you’ve spotted some ants crawling across the kitchen floor? You might be wondering what your next step should be. For some reason, homeowners often think that ants are something they need to deal with alone. Somehow they don’t seem like a big enough problem to call for professional pest control in Knoxville. Ask yourself why not? Ants are pests just like any other creepy crawlies that you would want to be exterminated, and your local pest control service will be happy to help you get them out of your home and help discourage them from making a return!

Let’s learn more about ant infestations and how pest control in Knoxville can help.

Little Black Ants

Little black ants are probably the most common type of ants in your home. These tiny critters are about 1.5mm long and are not dangerous. They won’t sting, and they are not destructive. However, that doesn’t mean they are not a pest! When they infest your property, it can become an issue in terms of food storage and sanitation. They usually come into a home or business in search of food, so they will commonly be spotted in the kitchen, although they are masters of hide and seek! Regular pest control can help eliminate and prevent these unwanted house guests, so be sure to seek professional pest control in Knoxville if you spot them.

Stinging Ants

When you have an infestation of any kind of stinging insect, including stinging ants, it is always a good idea to call for professional pest control in Knoxville to help get rid of them. Fire ants are pretty common in Tennessee, and the nasty little guys will sting anything perceived to be a threat! They are very territorial and will protect places they perceive to be theirs. Year-round pest control is one of the best ways to prevent fire ants and other stinging ants from entering your property. Talk to professional pest control in Knoxville about arranging a preventative pest control program at your property.

Pro Tip! Applying a cold compress to the area will reduce swelling and inflammation if you do get stung by a fire ant. A 1% hydrocortisone cream, available over the counter, can help relieve the itching.

Carpenter Ants

While most ants are not going to cause too much damage to your property, carpenter ants certainly will. These are wood-boring pests and, like termites, will cause significant structural damage if left unchecked. It is important to eliminate the main colony, and any satellite colonies tucked away in other areas of your property. Place a call to professional pest control in Knoxville to arrange the proper treatment for an infestation of carpenter ants.

What to Expect from Ant Control

When you call for pest control in Knoxville to deal with your ant problem, the service will be customized to best suit your needs, but as a general rule of thumb, the process has three key steps that will be followed.

1. Home Inspection - The first step when calling on pest control in Knoxville is for your technician to conduct a thorough inspection of your property. This is going to help them identify what type of ant they are dealing with and also allow them to locate any established nests or developing colonies.
2. Ant Treatment - Once the technician has a clear idea of the level of infestation and the type of ants you have in your home, they will be able to determine the best pest control program to suit your needs. This may include a combination of different products and techniques. Rest assured, at Otis Pest Control, our technicians are highly skilled and knowledgeable.
3. Preventative Measures - Once the ants are gone, you will want to make sure they don’t return. Pest control is very rarely a ‘one-and-done' situation. It is important to put preventative measures in place to help discourage ants, and other pests, from returning. Discuss with your technician the best way to have regular pest control in Knoxville to keep your home protected and pest free!

Can I Keep Ants Out?

As noted above, preventative pest control in Knoxville is the best way to prevent ants in your home. However, you can also take some steps as a homeowner to help keep them out in addition to your professional pest control services. Ants are usually hunting for food, so ensure that your food is kept in airtight containers and that you clean up crumbs when cooking. You can also seal any gaps or cracks where ants may enter the property. If you couple this with your regular pest control treatments, you will hopefully be able to keep ants at bay.

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Otis Termite & Pest Control is a full-service pest control company with a focus on outstanding service. We have been serving the East Tennessee area for over 56 years and our reputation is built on prompt and effective service. We’re good at what we do and we’re fast. We do the job right the first time – and that’s an actual guarantee! 

Call 865.690.1662 or visit www.otispestcontrol.net.